WHO IS Ben?
What's his deal?
My journey in ceramics spans 25 years now. During this time, I've had many influences, tremendous teachers, supportive family and friends, and an incredible array of connections within the ceramic art community. I feel tremendously grateful for everything that this collection of experiences has brought me, especially as I branch out and broaden my studio practice.
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My current work is all functional pottery. I often describe my process like this: "I never make the same pot twice." In fact, I've tried. Didn't work. Instead, using a small collection of custom, textured wood blocks, I imprint, alter, and move each pot's surface with the hope that it retains its material "softness" after the final firing. It's a hard aesthetic to capture, and it keeps me constantly searching.
But it's this constant searching that makes the process so engaging. Even after 60 years of working in clay, my mentor, Toshiko Takaezu, would find a surprise in every firing. It's this inevitable element of the unknown that, I believe, keeps ceramic artists young. It keeps us hungry. We will never even come close to figuring it all out....and that's a good thing.
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I love teaching, and always enjoy having the chance to run a workshop. Please check out my workshop info page below for details.
- Ben
