We caught up with local artist Liz Corrigan to find out what she's got cooking for Market Days.
How long have you been a ceramicist/potter? Which of those titles would you dub yourself?
I have been working with clay since I was a child, my mom always had me in some kind of art classes, but when I was eight I decided that would be my career. I do not consider myself a potter, since my interest really lies in sculpture, and I learned to throw from sculptors – which leaves my skills somewhat lacking. I guess that would make me a ceramic artist.
What got you into the field?
I took classes at the New Hampshire Institute of Art when I was still in high school. Al Jaeger was my first truly inspiring teacher and did much to influence my style. I then went to Alfred University, where I studied with several amazing teachers, most notably Anne Currier and John and Andrea Gill. I then went on to apprentice with Tim Rowan for two years. He is a wood fire ceramic sculptor in Stone Ridge N.Y., who studied in Japan for several years.
I fell in love with clay because the possibilities of what you can do with it are almost endless. It is also extremely frustrating because the number of things that can go wrong are endless as well, but the chemistry involved is fascinating and i enjoy the challenge each problem presents.
Who are some artists that inspired you?
I love the work of local artists Al Jaeger and Kathleen Curtain. On a larger scale, Gordon Matta Clark was an absolute genius.
You make a lot of mugs. What's your favorite beverage to drink out of a hand-thrown mug?
Personally I prefer to drink very, very strong black coffee from a hand made mugs.
What have you got in store for the crowd at Market Days?
I am hoping to have a new batch of carved mugs for Market Days. This will include scenes from New Orleans, Mexico and Tibet, all places that I have had the privilege to see first hand. Part of the profits from the New Orleans mugs is donated to the Back Bay Mission, an organization that is helping to clean up Biloxi, Miss. and provide for its community after hurricane Katrina.
These carved mugs are my personal favorite because they have a more sculptural quality, they are a derivative of my three dimensional work.
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