Ceramic Shane Keena grew up in Southern California, surrounded by surf and sand. An avid scuba diver, Keena has had the opportunity to study a large variety of underwater plants, animals and rocks.
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Marmoratus Nudicup, ceramic, luster, mixed media
Marmoratus Nudicup, detail
This ongoing discovery of sea life, along with inspiration from microscopic images of pollen, and exotic fruits like durian and jackfruit, have had a profound impact on the artist’s work. Known for his consistently beautiful glazes, each piece sports hundreds of prickly ceramic spikes, individually hand painted by Keena. While the work speaks to his own guarded nature, it also explores the universal issues of vulnerability and defense mechanisms.
Ibara, ceramic, luster, china paint
Ibara, detail
“My agenda is not to recreate what already exists in the world, but rather to create objects that are chimeras; the result of a blending of ideas begging the question; “is it animal, mineral, or vegetable?” I aim for my work to come to life within arm’s reach, where eyesight blurs into touch with the objective of creating new, enigmatic and uncategorized art-forms.”
Fugu, multi-fired earthenware, luster, individually china painted spines
“The objects I create are the by-products of a long personal investigation and echo the characteristics of my guarded personality. Reflecting a keen interest in structural defense mechanisms found in nature, my ceramic forms swell with bravado, often adopting aggressive or recoiling postures in a fight-or-flight state that protect the visceral interiors.”
Crawl, ceramic, mixed media
Crawl, detail
More at Armstrong Gallery
Read an interview with Keena at South California Potters
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Stunning. Even with all the prickles it’s got that sensual feel of the sea. I’ll have to see if she has any work in galleries up in the Seattle area.
Awesome work!
I also find inspiration in seeds, pollen, and sea life.
Organic shapes are amazing to work with.
You are the Ernst Haeckel of pottery Shane – Simply Stunning!
Outragiously beautiful! Do you teach your techniques?
Wow! Just…. Wow!
Thank you all for the kind words about the work. It’s always an honor when people respond in such a positive way to what I make and put out in the public eye. A big thank you to Susan for doing this wonderful blog write up.
I love your forms and use of surface! These are lovely.