Simon Levin

These pieces by Simon Levin are from a series he did in 2007-2008, found on accessceramics.org. My attraction to them, other than their fantastic glazing and use of color, was their surface textures. I especially love the vase just above on the left that has the angular grid type of pattern with the soft tan and salmon colored glazing, interrupted by what almost looks like a soaring asteroid (or falling orange slice... either one). I am also a huge fan of the tumbler at the very top of these images, which almost has the appearance of lightning crackling to the ground on a rainy afternoon. 

I would love to know how Levin achieved these visual relationships and contrasts, but it seems like they would be impossible to imitate since he has created not only his own pieces, but also his own clay, his own kiln, has determined the length and qualities of each firing, and then responded to the individual results. Thus, these pieces are completely unique to Levin, and I love that. He states in his "Philosophy" on his website that he works in this way, is in control of all these steps in the process, in order to really connect himself with the pottery. And he loves the intimate relationship that one can have with the piece after it is finished: the time they spend holding the cup, cradling it in their hands, touching it to their lips...interacting with that object. 

I love this as well. These personal touches on objects we use daily make them so much more precious and enjoyable. When I reach into my cabinet to pull out a bowl in the morning, I always gravitate toward the two I have from ceramicists in Nevada, and each time I use them I admire their individual qualities, knowing they were made and designed by people I knew. Levin quoted his friend on the home page of his website, who said this, "I find that when we are setting the table or doing dishes that we linger over our pottery a little longer. I think it is to take a moment to touch the hands of the person who made it and remember the good times and good friends and good travel that brought that piece to us." This is how I feel when I use those individual pieces of pottery I have. It is more than just a bowl, it is an artwork. I love bringing art into our everyday lives through pottery.

Images from:

 http://accessceramics.org/results/artist/130/

Information from: 

http://simonlevin.com/home and http://simonlevin.com/philosophy