Being shown in an Exhibit at Jane’s Gallery from Sept 6-December 31, 2025 in New Smyrna Beach, Fl
This vessel presents itself as an object poised between functionality and aesthetic contemplation. Its irregular contours, tactile glaze, and unorthodox handle position it far from the domain of industrial uniformity. Viewed through the lenses of Chan (Zen) aesthetics, the vessel aligns with principles of wabi-sabi, the celebration of impermanence, imperfection, and naturalness. The form is asymmetric, the glaze irregular, and the surface textured with earthy hues. These qualities evoke shizen (naturalness) and a sense of quiet imperfection, hallmarks of Zen-inspired pottery. The subtle gradients and flowing glaze embody the unpredictability of fire and earth, marking the vessel as a unique moment in time rather than a reproducible commodity.
In an age dominated by industrial production and cultural commodification, the vessel’s raw irregularity asserts material honesty and the primacy of process over product. Its awkward handle, far from a flaw, becomes an aesthetic act of rebellion
Art by Kate W 