Tom Mogensen
My main sources of inspiration are nature and its components. I mostly use clay, stone, glass, and precious metals to make three-dimensional creations. I aim to employ these components to make one-of-a-kind works of art that are well-made and well-designed. The objects are created to be intimate and invite the user or observer to enjoy holding and utilizing the piece or simply looking at it. Clay is an excellent tool for achieving that. It can be shaped almost any way, whether or not it is functional. To suit the requirements of certain pieces of work, It can be embellished with glazes of an enormous variety. When I am designing a piece that will have any carving or other delicate features or I desire the pure colors that glaze will produce on a white surface at the Cone 10 high fire range, I work with porcelain. The glaze and clay body of the porcelain vitrifies at this temperature, becoming one when the glaze melts into the clay body. This can Be utilized to create a more cohesive piece. it is more like an essential component of the form than paint on the surface. I frequently use Celadon glazes, which let the surface details of my work -including my sgraffito and Mishima techniques- show through. When I want a piece to have more rustic and earthy appearance, I frequently work with stoneware. The majority of my art, regardless of medium, has more organic than geometric form.
Tom and Elaine Coleman have had a significant impact on my work Tom and Elaine continue sharing their expertise with the ceramic community. Tom created most of the glazes that I use. Elaine's carved works have unparalleled fine detail and design, which inspires many of us who want to incorporate carving into our porcelain work. The majority of my work is functional, and Tom has taught me a lot about subtleties in creating functional wares. Even though they are often not noticed when looking at my work, these small details can make the difference between a piece becoming your favorite and being on that is left on the shelf. |