Willem Gebben

In my work there are a number of issues which interest me. It is important to develop an understanding of the materials I use. Because of this, I mix and process my own clay and glazes. I also enjoy firing in a wood fueled kiln. This tradition goes back thousands of years and I enjoy the link to the past. I work within the traditional role of a potter, which is to say, making pottery meant to be used. It is this craft that separates it from the other arts such as painting or sculpture. It is through the elements of touch and use that communication between the object and user occurs. I’m also interested in form which, in large part, is the art of pottery. The tactile qualities, the weight, and how the pots feel. In this age of increasing dependence on machine-made objects and the worship of technology, I feel it’s essential that handmade objects are used as a way for us to communicate with each other.