Thayer Zaeder, Instructor in Art, features his three vases that he created during his summer in Maine. His works evoke a sense of nature as the smooth curvature and geometric shapes are glazed with naturalistic colors. Among three pieces, the “Mycenaean pot” captures the viewer’s attention with its unique bands of diamond-shaped designs that are left unglazed. These patterns echo the Mycenaean designs from the Bronze Age.
Q: What was the idea behind your work?
A: I only have three pieces in the current show. I tried to capture the “essence” of that form…with some success. One of the things that typify my work is that I tend to work in series and take one idea and run through a number of permutations and iterations. These three pots represent a short window of exploration. I’m still exploring variations on this same form today.
Q: What was your inspiration?
A: All three were created this summer in Maine. All of these pots were studies based on a Mycenaean vessel that I found particularly compelling. The Mycenaean pot is a very bulbous shape with a wonderful sense of lift in the form.
Q: How are these pieces different than other ceramic works you have done in the past?
A: I have been working a bit larger than usual…and also using high fire clay and glazes. Much of my work in the past has been made of terracotta, a lower firing clay.
Q: What was the process of making these pieces?
A: All three of these pieces were made by a combination of wheel work, coiling and then alteration.
Compiled by Sarah Lee and Nicole Ngd
