Joining the dots in clay
- Coreen’s experimental ceramics practice is inspired by nature
- Her pieces build on her education as a ceramic sculptor
- She finds the exchange of ideas inherent in teaching energising
Coreen Abbott’s sculptural and functional ceramic pieces challenge tradition. After a childhood spent playing with clay in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, she moved to Colorado to formally study ceramics. Coreen learned to make her own clay, build her own kiln and mix her own glazes before taking an MFA in ceramic sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute. The experience of studying under the celebrated American ceramicists Richard Shaw and John Roloff broadened her horizons: “I discovered ceramics could be used in any media,” she says. Coreen’s pieces often feature decorative patterning inspired by nature and the underwater worlds she discovers as a scuba diver. In addition to her studio practice, she has taught all over the world, from Malta and India to China.
Interview
- How did you find your creative path?
- I studied at the San Francisco Art Institute. It was the only fine arts school in the USA with no practical coursework, so when faced with a difficult aesthetic problem, I had to go beyond the wheel. It inspired me to break new ground with my practice and embrace experimentation.
- What has been the biggest influence on your craft?
- Living outside my comfort zone has had a tremendous impact. One of my formative experiences was living in Faenza, Italy in my thirties, which gave me the chance to participate in the Argilla Festival and the Museum of International Ceramics. Another great influence was visiting the porcelain town of Jingdezhen, China.
- How has your love of scuba diving shaped your work?
- I am passionate about observing nature. The most amazing shapes, colours and patterns can be found underwater and even terrestrially. One of the first dot pieces I ever did, I later realised, was inspired by sea urchins. Creatures from whale sharks to trunkfish and even insects offer an endless well of visual and conceptual inspiration.
- What has teaching taught you?
- Being a craftsperson requires a lot of alone time. I have to disconnect to get anything done. Teaching is a wonderful counterpoint. It forces me to articulate my process and illuminate ideas, while also seeing what students come up with. I love the idea of the exchange and passing down of ideas.
Coreen Abbott is a master artisan: she began her career in 1976 and she started teaching in 1984
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Coreen Abbott
