A Body of Work

Abstract

A Body of Work explores the convergence of conceptual inquiry, material philosophy, and ceramic practice through the creation of a body of work defined by the physicality of my own body. Entrenched in tenets of Material Engagement Theory, the Hylomorphic Model, and material affordances, A Body of Work examines the activation and emergence of agency in the dialogue between maker and material. Using my weight and volume as guiding constraints, the resulting collection of wheel-thrown bowls and primarily coil-built “belly pots” become both literal and conceptual reflections of embodied knowledge. This investigation positions clay as an active collaborator in the becoming of form rather than a passive recipient of a maker’s design, offering insight into the ways cognition extends through and is shaped by physical engagement. This paper anatomizes process documentation, personal narrative, and theoretical frameworks to articulate a ceramic practice that prioritizes receptivity, adaptability, and material attunement. In doing so, it contributes to ongoing conversations about the role of embodiment, materiality, and artistic agency in contemporary craft.Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.