Tanya Volansky

Artist Statement

For twenty-five years, I've worked with clay to make functional stoneware that offers both beauty and utility. My sculptural foundation from Moore College of Art and Design informs every piece I throw on the wheel- vessels designed to hold coffee and conversation equally well, sturdy enough to become daily companions while visually compelling enough to earn a place on open shelving.
I'm fighting against our culture's disposable mentality, one handmade piece at a time. When I'm at the wheel throwing mugs or trimming bowls, I'm thinking about longevity- about creating objects that gain patina and story through years of handling rather than ending up in landfills. Each item is hand-thrown, hand-decorated, hand-glazed, and fired to cone 6, a labor-intensive process that contradicts everything about mass production.
My visual language relies on graphic simplicity. I've intentionally chosen a limited color palette but it isn't about restraint for its own sake- it's about creating clean, contemporary forms that won't clash with evolving tastes or interior styles. The line work is bold and immediate, giving each piece a distinct graphic presence.
I've come to value the irregular qualities that emerge from working by hand. The slight wobble in a rim, the variation in glaze application, the way one handle differs from another- these aren't mistakes to apologize for. They're proof that a person made this thing, that it exists outside the realm of algorithmic reproduction. Every piece carries the fingerprints of its making, literally and figuratively.
The marriage of form and function fascinates me endlessly. A successful piece needs to perform- the handle must balance the weight when full, the rim must feel comfortable against your lips, the foot must sit stable on the table. But it also needs to reward the eye and the hand, to feel intentional and considered. This dual requirement pushes me to refine both the practical and aesthetic aspects of each form.
My work is for people who choose permanence over convenience, who invest in objects they'll use for decades rather than seasons. It's for those who recognize that true environmental responsibility means creating fewer, better things.