Potters Market at the Mint
September 21, 2024
Asheville, NC
When Laura Peery discovered clay she was drawn in by its magic ability to mimic fabric. Inspired by costume design, vintage textiles and embellishments, her porcelain and mixed media objects are composed and assembled as if from a dressmaker’s pattern.
My grandmother had a dress shop in New Orleans. I spent my earliest years there, delighting in the sounds and smells, colors and patterns of the shop. Inspiration for my work begins with those memories. Back then you could have a dress altered any way you wished, and at “College Frocks” the women who fulfilled these requests taught me the value of a well-made garment and the importance of fine, handmade details.
It was love at first touch when I discovered clay. Porcelain is my clay preference. It is so well suited to the delicate textures I enjoy. Using slab or pinch construction I imprint canvas and other fabric patterns on the clay. Dressmaking tools and press molds of buttons and other simple objects add realistic details. Color is applied in layers and fired on. I am forever in pursuit of the next thing that will bring a patina of age to my work.
The past is with me every day. For several years I’ve focused on the teapot form, a humble domestic object, symbol of comfort and repose, rejuvenation and togetherness. Teapots require handles, lids and spouts, but other than that, anything goes. I love to piece together these components, looking for the unexpected in the ordinary. If the pieces I make happen to resemble cushions or garments, I think you will understand why.
On Care:
The pieces can be used for tea, or flowers, or what you please. They are glazed inside with a clear, high-fired glaze. Exteriors are combinations of washes, ceramic stains and underglazes, painted, rubbed and sprayed on. Like an old pair of jeans, they may develop additional patina over time. Hand wash and drip dry. Wiping with a cloth will likely leave a residue of lint, so use a microfiber cloth and drop of alcohol if spot cleaning is needed.