PAST EXHIBITION
REMEMBER ME
by CCC Resident Artist Jennifer Arnold
on display in the CCC Orange Satellite Gallery August 7th - 22nd
gallery hours are Tues-Sat 10 am -5 pm
Jennifer was the Resident Artist at Carbondale Clay Center September of 2019 through August of 2020. This exhibition was a culmination of her 1-year residency and showcased her fabulous ceramic works.
“This body of work comes through in the form of offerings to the past. Remember Me isn’t specifically about thinking of me, but to pay tribute to the past- regrets, good or bad, those thoughts that can keep you up at night- to respect the process of a life long lesson and to move forward more humble. These sculptures are meant to bring a sense of relief, protection and reflection.”
Carbondale Clay Center’s Executive Director, Angela Bruno, sat down with 2019-2020 Resident Artist, Jennifer Arnold, to chat about her exit exhibition Remember Me, her making process, and what inspires her work.
Angela Bruno: Where are you from?
Jennifer Arnold: Originally I am from Jonesboro, Arkansas.
AB: Does your upbringing influence your work? Did you find inspiration in the culture of the South? If so, how has it influenced your work?
JA: Absolutely, the way I was raised and southern culture influence my work. I use my background as touching points for pieces many times. I use my experience mostly through my grandmother’s King James biblical reasoning as starting points. Mainly in opposition to those ideas. Glorifying sexual organs, worshiping deities, and ritualistic witchy adorations.
photo by Petr Wiese
AB: What is your background in clay?
JA: I took a beginner's class at Penn State University as a credit filler and was hooked with the community and the possibilities that clay could take me as an artist. After receiving my BFA in ceramics from Penn State University, I did a year-long post-baccalaureate at Virginia Common Wealth University and got my Masters from Alfred University.
AB: What is it that you like about clay?
JA: I don’t have a romantic answer. I like what is so obvious to like about clay; it’s malleable, cheap, and easy to come by.
AB: Was there a seminal moment that led you to art school?
JA: Well, I was always a creative person but my major starting out in college was early childhood education. Pretty soon after that decision, I had some clear insight that I better do what makes me happy and what I believe I’m most talented at and that was art.
AB: Was your family supportive or influential?
JA: My family has always been supportive even when the subject matter of my work has been about them. There have definitely been some tough conversations and disagreements about nudity, but they always have my back.
Happy Penis
image by Petr Wiese
AB: Did you always prefer sculptural over functional? Handbuilding over wheel throwing?
JA: Yes, I have always preferred sculptural, even when I was trying to be a potter in undergrad I couldn’t resist handling and manipulating whatever I had just thrown.
AB: Tell us about your process? Do you sketch out ideas first? Do you have a finished piece or size/scale in mind when you start working or does your work evolve as you make?
JA: My process is pretty simple, I usually just start coil building out a general form and from there I can take it multiple directions if needed. I enjoy working life-size, so objects are 1 to 1 related to my body. The work really evolves as I’m making, sometimes the ideas don’t completely make sense until it's in a gallery setting and I need to sit with it and understand where it’s coming from.
AB: What is your ideal studio situation- alone or communal?
JA: It depends… If I’m working on my personal sculptures I want to be completely and utterly alone because to me it’s vulnerable decision-making time in the studio and I don’t want outside influences. If I’m making work for my functional pottery line Boo&Finni I want to be in the studio with my partner, running through thoughts and ideas to make some really cool objects together.
AB: Tell us about Remember Me, and your show statement.
“This body of work comes through in the form of offerings to the past. Remember Me isn’t specifically about thinking of me, but to pay tribute to the past- regrets, good or bad, those thoughts that can keep you up at night- to respect the process of a life long lesson and to move forward more humble. These sculptures are meant to bring a sense of relief, protection, and reflection.”
JA: Remember Me is reflecting on the past and about letting go.
The green body was a last-minute decision to create. It is made from raw solid clay. I know a lot is going on in such a small space, but what was happening didn’t seem quite finished to me. Some pieces stand out more like the portrait tombstone and the large white “Remember Me” piece. I think there was a good connection that this body made from one monument to the other. One is a little more humorous and the other is solemn.
What I didn’t realize is how the body would take over the entire space, becoming the pillar of the show. I’m still learning from the show, for example, I noticed cracks forming on the body and it mimicked the stacking lines from the “Remember Me” piece. Those two pieces seemed to form a great relationship and now they belong together, which wasn’t an intentional thought.
AB: What does this show mean to you?
JA: The core meaning of this show specifically to me is to not be so hard on yourself. Take a little more care in feeling less self-hate, to enjoy the future and not dwell in the past.
AB: What do you hope the audience takes away from the viewing experience?
JA: I hope the audience brings there own interpretations to the show and can tell me somehow (through notes left behind or word of mouth) new things they see that I don’t see.
Green Body
photo by Petr Wiese
Remember Me
photo by Petr Wiese
AB: Local gallery owner and CCC Board Member, Sam Harvey, asked: “What are your thoughts on differences in cultural rituals and how people receive messages from various churches and religions?”
JA: I enjoy learning about differences in cultural rituals, much of my research stem from Greek mythology and Catholicism. Many ritual practices have the same goals in mind- pay tribute in some way- tithing- speak to a higher power- ask for help. I think most people want to feel excepted or a part of a bigger whole and to feel like they are doing something right and good. I believe forgiveness and acceptance play a huge roll in that message.
AB: Does religion play a part in this work?
JA: By definition no I do not think religion plays a role in this work because there is no god to answer to. This work is about answering to oneself not answering to a higher power. Responding to pain and letting go.
AB: What’s next for you, in terms of work?
JA: My partner and I are going to focus on Boo&Finni.
AB: Tell us about Boo&Finni?
JA: Boo&Finni is a collaborative artistic duo, which includes me and my partner, Emerson. He is Boo and I am Finni. We make kitschy functional pots, earrings, and lamps.
AB: Where can people find your work, and learn more about Boo&Finni?
photos by Petr Wiese