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Christina Gola | Episode 425
Christina “Christy” “Golawas born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit. Chtisty attend Michigan State University and graduated in 2013 with a BS in Packaging Science and a BFA in Studio Art specializing in Ceramics. Christy currently lives in Southeast Wisconsin where she works as a Packaging Engineer and maintains a long distance relationship with her studio. Christy can often be found driving to Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago on the weekends to work in the community studio and painting pots at home during the weeknights.
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When did this love for surface decoration really come about?
I think I have always had it. I remember my very first ceramics class I spent maybe 6 hours glazing compared to 4 hours making. It was sculpture but I have always been a firm believer that you should spend as much time glazing and decorating as you do making. At least for me. It has always been there I have just amplified it along the way.
How important is the clay body for what you are doing?
It is important but right now the reason I am working with terra cotta is a studio parameter. If I want color, which I know I do, the clay body that I need that will work is a low clay. But I miss cone 6 midfire range and porcelain.
What are some alternatives to be able to make it more quickly?
I have thought about making my own decals and collaging them on work. I’ve also thought about actually becoming more painterly. I think right now my illustrations are very tight and that is what takes so much time. If I were to loosen up a bit I think I could get them same essence across maybe without all the effort. I have also thought about mishima ,carving into a pot and doing slip inlay and seeing how much I can strip away while still maintaining some of those decorative elements. If you follow me on Instagram you will probably see all of these experiments come to life.
What does your perfect customer look like?
Oh gosh, I guess someone with money that is willing to spend. (laughter). My work isn’t cheap but I guess my perfect customer would be somebody that if they did even splurge on one of my cups they would love and use it. I know my work isn’t cheap so it begs to question is it really functional. If someone is going to spend that much money on a piece will they actually use it. I want my piece to be loved and I want it to be used so my perfect customer would be somebody who if they were willing to buy it would also be willing to use it and share it with their friends and family too. But it does become a luxery item so I know it is a hard thing to ask.
Is your work more feminine or masculine?
Oh gosh, I have never assigned it a gender.I don’t know. I guess maybe, feminine? I would say more feminine , they are lighter forms. I think the painting right now, the color schemes that I am using might make it into a more feminine space, but that’s a tough question.
What makes something more feminine or masculine? Is it the audience that appreciates it?
No. I guess in my point of view it would be I guess the embodiment of the form that I made. I have made forms before that I would maybe consider more masculine because of the shape of the handle or the ergonomic feel. I guess designing more for a man’s hand. I guess I use my fiance as a guinea pig. He tests it out. My forms right now are maybe more feminine because of the color scheme, because of the handle shape, and maybe because I am the one pouring what I want to make into them.
How does your work fit into someone’s life?
I guess it would be an object of appreciation but I also hope it becomes part of a special ritual that they might use. I realize it wouldn’t be used everyday but hopefully for those special occasions or celebrations it might be taken out and used to serve food with family or to drink a glass of wine out of. Or even just water, sitting down and having a celebrations for the day.
What does your perfect day look like?
I would get to sleep in past eight. Have coffee out of one of my cups and honestly come upstairs and sit and paint and listen to a good book or podcast on the radio. And at the end of the day have dinner with my fiance and maybe go to sleep and sleep through the night. I am kind of lame. My perfect day is making because I am so limited int the time I get to make now anyway that I get really excited for a good Saturday studio day.
Book
Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
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