After a long, successful career as a production potter Polly Whitcomb began making stoneware and found object assemblages a few year ago and she is enjoying a new kind of attention with the one-of-a-kind art works. Whitcomb offers a fresh interpretation of simple shapes with clay glazes that complement the aged patina of their found object counterparts.
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[private_archives]When I saw images of her work on the Patina Gallery website I assumed they were brooches. Looks can be deceiving. The assemblages are wall sculptures.
Blue Rain, stoneware clay and found objects
Tango, stoneware clay and found objects
Double Whammy, stoneware clay and found objects
Ribbing, stoneware clay and found objects
Encircled, stoneware clay and found objects
The New Mexico based artist fabricates simple stoneware forms, deftly combining them with found objects until she finds the most interesting arrangement to showcase the shapes, textures and colors perfectly. I do like the idea of translating these into smaller, wearable art, don’t you?
Her vocabulary of shapes is deliberately small; spheroids, pods, and disks are sufficient for her purpose. So direct and unembellished, they entice touch while providing dimension and contrast to the found elements she combines. And just as she works with a small selection of forms, she designs within a select, limited palette of color: shades of ochre, grey, and blue.
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This work speaks to me. I love it.
Wow, I love today’s entry. I’ve enjoyed getting my daily e-mail , this is my favorite entry to date… what beautiful patina. Thanks for your hard work, bringing these beautiful things to our attention.