Clay in Color

Today on Clay in Color, we chat with Yvette Mayorga. She creates ceramic sculptures and acrylic paintings that resemble delectable cakes and pastries that subversively critique the idea of the American Dream. In our interview, we talk about Mayorga's discovery of Rococo excess through Catholic decorativeness, embracing rasquachismo through unexpected materials and strategies, and her intentional use of pink as an exploration of expectations of femininity. We also discuss how she uses self-adornment as a form of expression in her personal life, which is transferred iconographically to her work. Furthermore, we discuss the fallacy of the American Dream and how she hopes to create spaces for dreaming.

Skutt is a proud sponsor of Clay in Color. Skutt Ceramic Products has been manufacturing equipment for Potters since 1953. Skutt's reputation as a pioneer in innovative kiln design continues with the 4th generation of this family-owned Business. Their KilnMaster Touchscreen controller offers a sleek, smartphone like interface, that is intuitive and packed with powerful tools that allow potters to easily program, diagnose and remotely monitor their kilns. With 5 dedicated kiln technicians on staff and the most comprehensive network of Distributors across the globe, you can be assured that Skutt will be there for you before and after the sale. For more information on their line of kilns visit www.skutt.com.

Today on Clay in Color, we chat with Linda Lopez. She creates playful ceramic sculptures of dust that, while abstract, recall both living creatures and inanimate objects. In our interview, we talk about Lopez's parents' role in instilling a sense of wonder and animism in her and how it has influenced her practice. We also discuss the evolution of her "Furries" and how she does not back down from a challenge despite how surprising clay can be.

Skutt is a proud sponsor of Clay in Color. Skutt Ceramic Products has been manufacturing equipment for Potters since 1953. Skutt's reputation as a pioneer in innovative kiln design continues with the 4th generation of this family-owned Business. Their KilnMaster Touchscreen controller offers a sleek, smartphone like interface, that is intuitive and packed with powerful tools that allow potters to easily program, diagnose and remotely monitor their kilns. With 5 dedicated kiln technicians on staff and the most comprehensive network of Distributors across the globe, you can be assured that Skutt will be there for you before and after the sale. For more information on their line of kilns visit www.skutt.com.

Today on Clay in Color, we chat with Diana "Didi" Rojas. She creates ceramic sculptures of brand-name shoes, from sneakers to high heels. In our interview, we talk about seeing her shoe sculptures as portraits of the wearer and a reflection of social media-driven consumerism. We also discuss the resourcefulness of her practice and how collaborations with brands have informed and supported her work. Furthermore, she tells us about performance, labor, and playfulness in her process and imagining her sculptures as future artifacts.

Skutt is a proud sponsor of Clay in Color. Skutt Ceramic Products has been manufacturing equipment for Potters since 1953. Skutt's reputation as a pioneer in innovative kiln design continues with the 4th generation of this family-owned Business. Their KilnMaster Touchscreen controller offers a sleek, smartphone like interface, that is intuitive and packed with powerful tools that allow potters to easily program, diagnose and remotely monitor their kilns. With 5 dedicated kiln technicians on staff and the most comprehensive network of Distributors across the globe, you can be assured that Skutt will be there for you before and after the sale. For more information on their line of kilns visit www.skutt.com.

Today on Clay in Color, we chat with Amia Yokoyama. She creates clay sculptures and animations that explore reality from the lens of internet world-building. In our interview, we talk about the richness of fantasy as a space of creativity and expanding preconceived notions of reality, especially in the digital landscape. We also discuss her pursuit of fluidity in both her ceramic and animation work and how these two practices inform and transform into each other. Furthermore, she tells us about her research into fetish avatars as representations of otherness and the ways in which we download multiple selves into avatars.

Skutt is a proud sponsor of Clay in Color. Skutt Ceramic Products has been manufacturing equipment for Potters since 1953. Skutt's reputation as a pioneer in innovative kiln design continues with the 4th generation of this family-owned Business. Their KilnMaster Touchscreen controller offers a sleek, smartphone like interface, that is intuitive and packed with powerful tools that allow potters to easily program, diagnose and remotely monitor their kilns. With 5 dedicated kiln technicians on staff and the most comprehensive network of Distributors across the globe, you can be assured that Skutt will be there for you before and after the sale. For more information on their line of kilns visit www.skutt.com.

Today on Clay in Color, we chat with Sydnie Jimenez. She creates ceramics of Black and Brown figures with distinctive attitudes and personal styles. In our interview, we talk about taking up space and wanting to create accessibility while protecting the figures and whom they represent. We also discuss her unconventional, creative process and how subconsciously her friends and family influence her sculptures. Furthermore, she tells us about the importance of music to her practice and thoughts on the trope of the clown, a recurrent motif in her practice.

Skutt is a proud sponsor of Clay in Color. Skutt Ceramic Products has been manufacturing equipment for Potters since 1953. Skutt's reputation as a pioneer in innovative kiln design continues with the 4th generation of this family-owned Business. Their KilnMaster Touchscreen controller offers a sleek, smartphone like interface, that is intuitive and packed with powerful tools that allow potters to easily program, diagnose and remotely monitor their kilns. With 5 dedicated kiln technicians on staff and the most comprehensive network of Distributors across the globe, you can be assured that Skutt will be there for you before and after the sale. For more information on their line of kilns visit www.skutt.com.

Today on Clay in Color, we chat with Natalia Arbelaez. She creates humorous sculptures in clay that explore Latinx identities as affected by colonialism. In our interview, we talk about her research into the Muisca people, her indigenous ancestors in Colombia, and how she has made their aesthetics and untold stories a priority in her practice. We also discuss the material histories of terracotta and majolica and how they visually translate the effects of colonialism in Latin America. Furthermore, she tells us about her ongoing research into her own lineage, as well as into the work of other women ceramicists of color, for which she crafts homage pieces to celebrate their practices.

Today on Clay in Color, we chat with Narumi Nekpenekpen. She creates small-scale hyper-detailed tenderly-rendered sculptures that speak to vulnerability. In our interview, we talk about translating negative and positive thoughts and emotions into clay and how her sculptures are almost like pages on a diary. We also discuss how having Japanese as her first language has encouraged her to find poetic ways of expression within the aesthetics and titles of her sculptures.

Skutt is a proud sponsor of Clay in Color. Skutt Ceramic Products has been manufacturing equipment for Potters since 1953. Skutt's reputation as a pioneer in innovative kiln design continues with the 4th generation of this family-owned Business. Their KilnMaster Touchscreen controller offers a sleek, smartphone like interface, that is intuitive and packed with powerful tools that allow potters to easily program, diagnose and remotely monitor their kilns. With 5 dedicated kiln technicians on staff and the most comprehensive network of Distributors across the globe, you can be assured that Skutt will be there for you before and after the sale. For more information on their line of kilns visit www.skutt.com.

Today on Clay in Color, we chat with Alake Shilling. She creates fantastical clay sculptures and paintings of cute animals that reflect the emotional diversity of humanity. In our interview, we talk about having the courage to be an artist and empowering ourselves and others to be our truest selves despite pressure from systems of oppression, including those in the art world. We also discuss the aesthetics of childhood and the major role they play in Shilling's worldview, and how she challenges the rejection of color and comfort in adulthood. Furthermore, she tells us about her desire to make her work accessible and relatable and the surprising responses she receives about her work.

Skutt is a proud sponsor of Clay in Color. Skutt Ceramic Products has been manufacturing equipment for Potters since 1953. Skutt's reputation as a pioneer in innovative kiln design continues with the 4th generation of this family-owned Business. Their KilnMaster Touchscreen controller offers a sleek, smartphone like interface, that is intuitive and packed with powerful tools that allow potters to easily program, diagnose and remotely monitor their kilns. With 5 dedicated kiln technicians on staff and the most comprehensive network of Distributors across the globe, you can be assured that Skutt will be there for you before and after the sale. For more information on their line of kilns visit www.skutt.com.

Today on Clay in Color, we chat with Sharif Farrag. He creates bold psychedelic and subversive ceramic sculptures that tap psychological depths to manifest a multitude of emotions, from laughter to pain. In our interview, we talk about Farrag's experience growing up Muslim in post 9/11 US while immersed in California's skateboarding culture and how these multiple influences inevitably come out in his work. We also discuss ideas of cultural assimilation and working towards one's most authentic self.

Skutt is a proud sponsor of Clay in Color. Skutt Ceramic Products has been manufacturing equipment for Potters since 1953. Skutt's reputation as a pioneer in innovative kiln design continues with the 4th generation of this family-owned Business. Their KilnMaster Touchscreen controller offers a sleek, smartphone like interface, that is intuitive and packed with powerful tools that allow potters to easily program, diagnose and remotely monitor their kilns. With 5 dedicated kiln technicians on staff and the most comprehensive network of Distributors across the globe, you can be assured that Skutt will be there for you before and after the sale. For more information on their line of kilns visit www.skutt.com.

Today on Clay in Color, we chat with Maryam Yousif. She creates tender and playful contemporary interpretations of ancient Mesopotamian figurines and objects. In our interview, we talk about how these sculptures help her learn about herself and strengthen her connection to her homeland of Iraq. We also discuss how her figurines serve as avatars and how they are inspired by Arab pop queens. Furthermore, she tells us about the pure joy of making ceramics and how that translates into their familiar nature, and how fashion and music play a role in how they look.