Artist: Mary Briggs
Mary Briggs, OREGON
View Artist's Products
Mary began her educational background with clay at the University of Georgia with Ron Meyers and Andy Nasisse, after which she obtained an MFA from the University of Iowa. She is currently a studio potter in Eugene, Oregon, which lured her with its landscape and outdoor activities.
My current body of work is investigating forms that are functional and inspired by historical folk pottery. I began drawing on my work about 15 years ago as landscapes presented themselves to me in the brush marks or drip lines of the white slip applied over the terra cotta clay. Researching landscape drawings and paintings and using them as a reference is a part of my process. I consider each drawing as a study in a Masters work that hopefully becomes a part of my visual library. The 19th century and their sensibilities around the landscape seem to be my favorite. There is a romantic element that is calming, like a country drive. Each piece of pottery is decorated individually with consideration of composition and it's relationship to the form. My work is not about politics or social commentary. It is simply meant to serve as a window into a peaceful place.
EDUCATION:
1995 University of Iowa, Masters of Arts Ceramics
1990 University of Georgia, Bachelor of Fine Arts
EXHIBITIONS
2018
Group Show Schaller Gallery St. Joseph, MI
2017
Wenaha Gallery, Dayton WA
American Pottery Festival Northern Clay Center Minneapolis, MN
2016
Solo Show Passionflower Eugene, OR
"Low Fire Is Cooler", Schaller Gallery, St. Joseph, MI
2015
Solo Show Schaller Gallery, St. Joseph, MI
2014
Solo Show Passionflower, Eugene, OR
2013
"Sororal" Schaller Gallery, St Joseph, MI
Mount Hood Community College Invitational, Gresham, OR
2011
Solo Show Mudfire Gallery, Decatur GA
2010
"Livestock", Schaller Gallery, St Joseph, MI
Solo Show Passion Flower Eugene, Oregon
Joint Show with Painter Dawne Raulet, Two Moon Gallery, Nashville, TN
2009
"Buckets and Baskets", Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, Montana
"Butter" Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, Montana
2008
Solo Show Margo's Pottery, Buffalo, Wyoming
2006
"Pots with Stories", Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, Montana
"Tea: Engaging the Senses - From Cuppa to Ceremony" White Lotus Gallery, Eugene, Oregon
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS:
2006 Bermuda National Gallery, Contemporary Ceramics Hamilton, Bermuda
2005
"Functional Earthenware", Charlie Cummings gallery, Fort Wayne, Indian