Art, Art History and Design, School of
First Advisor
Margaret Bohls
Second Advisor
Pete Pinnell
Third Advisor
Eddie Dominguez
Date of this Version
Spring 5-5-2023
Abstract
As a potter, I am deeply interested in the union between form, surface, and function. I believe these elements are intrinsically connected and the most successful pots are able to balance all three in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. From the proportional relationship between the foot and rim, to the way a glaze breaks or pools across an articulated surface, each detail is crafted with intention and care. Silhouette is a metaphor for how I conceptualize and conceive each of my pieces. It’s a way to explore form through both an aesthetic and practical approach. My studio practice is iterative by nature, and the silhouette, or outline of a pot, allows me to examine the subtle nuances found within each piece. I can vividly picture finished works in my head, but the pot’s proportions are often fine tuned through sketching and two-dimensional translations of form. The silhouette affords me the opportunity to address these relationships prior to sitting down at the wheel.
Advisor: Margaret Bohls
Comments
A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Fine Arts, Major: Art, Under the Supervision of Professor Margaret Bohls. Lincoln, Nebraska: March, 2023
Copyright © 2023 Andy Bissonnette