Jason Stockman exhibit opens in DC art gallery

New ceramics work by local artist Jason Stockman is now on exhibit in the Defiance College Women’s Commission Gallery. Salt-fired and wood-fired vessels and platters display the artist’s skill combined with the serendipity of the firing process.

Stockman writes about his work: “This body of work represents my ongoing fusion of technical and aesthetic concerns. They are marked by my passion and interest in wood firing techniques and their atmospheric effects on the final work as well as the sculptural treatment of the clay while retaining its functional qualities.

            “I am most enthusiastic about ceramics when I am wood firing. The process of making pieces to survive the violent flames and ash over long periods of time, and working to make the heat rise to certain temperatures with just the fuel of wood is exhilarating. It is an incomparable moment between the creator and the work inside the kiln. This process is my passion; every step, whether it is a forward or backward one, is always an exciting learning experience. The uniqueness of each firing cycle gives the work a mystery that is unknowable until the pieces are removed from the kiln.  Analyzing the outcome of the material helps me to better control the inherent unpredictability. This learning process brings an excitement to my work that is hard to match with other techniques.

“Process is paramount in my work. Each piece is representative of its own journey through the variations of techniques. The most exciting part is to be able to experiment with each step of the process in a different way each time. Making alterations in the materials to develop a different body or changing the chemistry of a glaze that changes the outcome of the work. This is exactly what it is all about for me.” 

The exhibit will run through Nov. 2.  Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.