Ian Jones

Ian Jones

My current series, “Vandalized Cylinders,” begins with wheel-thrown bottomless cylinders, arranged in random or geometric patterns on sheet-rock. I attach these cylinders via tunnels or valleys, allowing spontaneity to shape the work. Gentle manipulations yield to exuberant deformations, resulting in flamboyant finishing flourishes. The transition from gentle manipulations to flamboyant deformations is a leap of faith. Each twist, each compression, carries the weight of transformation. I question whether I’m pushing too far or not far enough. After aggregation, excess material is removed, edges smoothed, and joints compressed. Hands up, tools down, walk away.

The kiln becomes my alchemical furnace. Timing matters—the slow drying, the Δ06 bisque firing, the final effervescent Δ10 gas reduction. Glaze selection is equally crucial: chaos of colors or simplicity of a single glaze? Will the carbon trap yield its magic? Will the sprayed accents sing? Will the redwood and soda of the noborigama grace my sculpture? In science, precision often seeks perfection, but art thrives on imperfections—the cracks, the unexpected textures. Letting go of the need for flawlessness is liberating yet challenging.

My art celebrates the dance between science and creativity, inviting viewers into a world of texture, color, and wonder. And so, “Vandalized Cylinders” emerges—a testament to resilience, vulnerability, and the cosmic dance that unites science and art.

Email: squidfiredceramics@gmail.com
Website: www.instagram.com/squidfired_ceramics/
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