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Lisa Belsky | Episode 492
Lisa Belsky is a ceramic artist and art instructor currently living and working in Columbus, Ohio. Lisa received her MFA from Ohio State University and her BFA from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. Lisa’s current work explores the intersection of fiber and clay where hand knit or crocheted fabric is dipped into porcelain slip to create sculptural vessels.
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What do you think of imitation?
I think imitation is part of our making. It is all around. Because I really believe ideas are some version of other ideas that has just taken a new shape. So I think there is direct copying and I think in the case of my work, I didn’t invent the idea of taking something and dipping it in slip and firing it, so I expect there to be lots of people who are out there who are curious about the process and want to experiment with it. I mean, if I saw someone making exactly the same work as mine that is a different story, but I think because this body of work is so rooted in process, I do expect that a little bit.
Have you imitated another potter?
Not that I can think of. I know I have been heavily influenced by different aspects of other artwork that I have seen. But I try really hard to make sure that within my own art making that it is authentic as mine.
Which brings me to the question of testing. How much value do you put in test after test after test?
I think it is incredibly valuable. There are so many products out there that come off the shelf formulated for us and the are able to accomplish any range of things. Which is great for a lot of artists. I have glazes in jars that are pre-formulated and I get plenty of use and I really appreciate the convenience of those materials. But I think there is another side of ceramics that for those of us who have an idea that we are trying to get through, where the material doesn’t quite exist in a pre-formed fashion, that is where all that testing comes into play. Some understanding of the chemistry of the glazes opens you up to be able to explore the medium of ceramics in a very different way, then in just taking something that is already there.
What do you do with the work you are making now? Do you sell it? Do you keep it? Do you give it away?
I sell it. I have been doing some different shows, I have sold in a few different craft shows. I exhibit. I have been getting it out in more call for entry type of exhibits when I can. I like for it to go out into the world after I make it.
What is your favorite response that you have had toward your work so far?
Honestly, I like when I freak people out. When they are coming to a booth at a craft show and they are so sure that it is fabric and they touch it and it’s not. (laughter) I like seeing the reaction people get.
Do you have a basic idea of how much time you have to put into each piece?
It depends on what stitch I am using. For the most part when it comes to knitting and crocheting, I am a much faster crocheter than I am a knitter. So that will make the piece take less or more time based on that alone. But depending on what I want the form to look like, I think about the way I make my forms, in a similar fashion to slab building. So if I am making a bottle shape I am going to knit a strip that I sew into a cylinder and from there I will have a second piece that I will sew onto that piece and then I attach a bottom. So it is almost like if you were throwing something in multiple parts. So depending on the complexity of the form, that will add to the time it takes as well.
Tell me about the joy of opening a kiln.
Oh, it’s the best. When I first got into ceramics the kiln magic is the part of it that made me fall in love with ceramics. I used to do salt firing and I love that because you never know what you are going to get. I mean, you can kind of plan for it but every thing just kind of moves and has its own way the glazes land a certain way and the salt hits more on one side. With this work it is all electric and it is all un-glazed but I do have that kiln magic is the way the pieces move so each time I open the kiln, I know that they are going to be different. I know the smaller pieces are only going to move a little but with the larger pieces I can be a little nervous wondering what it will do. So for me that is one of the best parts about it.
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Contact:
Instagram: @lbelsky