Christopher Robinson

Christopher P. Robinson, originally from Atlanta, GA, earned his Bachelor of Arts concentrating in Ceramics with a minor in Medieval Studies from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Most recently I have been constructing both sculptural and functional forms. The forms are wheel thrown or hand built with wheel thrown additions. Stone-like and textured surfaces suggest the material chosen as the shape and decoration reflect function, whether domestic or ritual. The influence of antique symbols and mark marking is reflected by the practice of incising through a contrasting colored slip to reveal the clay body underneath. The treatment of the surface is continued through its firing to yield a range of textures and colors. Although a variety of firing techniques are used to achieve desired results, the use of wood to fire my vessels is preferred.
Another technique used recently yields a pointillist effect by perforating contours of a drawing, then pouncing the drawing or ‘cartoon’ with a ceramic stain against the surface of the piece. The cartoon is removed and the work is fired, resulting in an ephemeral image left from the pouncing technique. The images suggest mortality while the permanence of the fired clay reflects the impact individuals can have on another’s life. Analogous to people, these vessels relate to one another in a group while contemplating their individual existence.