Alex Beck

Artist Statement

When I’m working on my own pots, most of my ceramics start on the wheel. I like to do planters, vases, lanterns, tableware and enjoy experimenting with less common forms especially when it comes to vases. From there most of my pieces incorporate some type of texture, pattern, surface design or combination of all three.

My work somewhat changes depending on whether I'm doing high or mid fire. When I"m doing high fire cone 10 reduction, I like to use the glazes on top of heavily textured pots to get my final results, focusing heavily of variable glazes that break depending on thickness. I also do my new tableware collection at cone 10 and have a developed an offering of drinkware and many different types of bowls with consistent shapes, sizing and textures.

When I'm doing mid fire, I like to incorporate a wide range of under glaze colors and add patterns & textures to get my final results. Another material I like to play with is wax which allows me to add color inside of my textures using mishima techniques.

Recently I've become more interested in experimenting with negative space and lighting by piercing some of my pieces to create lanterns and other interesting light fixtures. Light sconces and hanging lights are my current project on this front.

I'm constantly exploring how color, texture, patterns and layering through multiple firings can interact with my thrown forms as I continue to explores new possibilites with my breadth of work.