Stone Container: Post-Industrial Ceramics
at the Clay Studio of Missoula
On exhibit May 6-27, 2011

Curator's Statement

Today’s economic environment has everyone thinking about consumption and the use of natural resources. This hit home to many of us in Missoula with the closing of Smurfit-Stone Container Mill last year. Becoming Missoula’s microcosm of industrial decline in America, and an icon of the effects of national recession, the now-abandoned site has kept the relics of industry taking the form of environmental detritus through hulking industrial structures. As reminders of both consumption of natural resources and expendable corporate finances, the now empty buildings echo of their past human inhabitants. The passage of time is apparent in these structures through wear and degradation. The artists I have chosen for Stone Container: Post-Industrial Ceramics approach these concepts in a variety of different ways. They speak to both the personal and universal through narrative forms and imagery. Their forms of “what remains” convey a powerful aesthetic.

The history of ceramics and vessel making provides a powerful metaphor when speaking of consumption. The interplay of utilitarian objects used for eating as they contrast with a conceptual vehicle for expression gives us plenty of space to ponder these “Stone Containers.”

Danny Crump
May 2011

	Dan Anderson Bucket wood fired stoneware 9 x 12.5 x 10" 2010		Dan Anderson Jar with Piercings wood fired stoneware 12 x 11 x 10" 2010
	Dan Anderson Water Jar wood fired stoneware 12 x 12 x 12" 2011		Danny Crump Nest wood fired stoneware 28 x 22 x 11" 2011
	Susan Harris Phyrnosoma Reliquary iron-bearing stoneware, glazed interior, unglazed exterior, stained; reduction cooled gas fired 11.25"h x 8.5"d. 2010		Susan Harris Orthoptera Fu iron-bearing stoneware, glazed interior, unglazed exterior, stained: reduction cooled gas fired 7.75"h. x 9.5"w x 4.25"d. 2011
	Susan Harris Pipeline Footed Jar iron-bearing stoneware, stains, unglazed; reduction cooled gas fired 17.5"h. x 9.5"w. x 8.5"d. 2011		Jill Lawley Blackish Stack wood fired stoneware 18 x 9 x 9" 2008
	Jill Lawley Green Striped Pourer red stoneware 5.25 x 3.75 x 1.5” 2010		Jill Lawley Pourer red stoneware 5 x 3.5 x 3.5” 2010
	Jill Lawley Vent wood fired stoneware 17 x 4 x 6.5 ” 2009		Ted Neal Consumer Teaset wood fired stoneware 9 x 11 x 7” 2011
	Ted Neal Refinery Jars wood fired stoneware, steel 4 x 6 x 6” (each) 2011		Ted Neal Silo wood fired stoneware 10 x 6 x 6" 2011
	Ted Neal Industrial Teaset: Teapot wood fired stoneware, steel teapot: 9 x 7 x 6" 2011		Ted Neal Industrial Teaset: Cups wood fired stoneware cups: 4.5 x 3 x 3" 2011
	David Peters Crucible wood fired local clay 15 x 18 x 18" 2011		David Peters Bowl wood fired local clay 5 x 12.5 x 12.5" 2011
	David Peters Vase wood fired local clay 11 x 5.5 x 5.5" 2011		David Peters Small Crucible wood fired local clay 3 x 3 x 3.25" 2011
	Russell Wrankle Firm and Flaccid earthenware 19.5 x 12 x 4.5" 2011		Russell Wrankle Hard and Soft earthenware 13 x 8 x 6" 2011
	Russell Wrankle The Constant Tug of Gravity earthenware 15 x 3.5 x 4.5" 2011