Suzanne Stumpf: Urchin, 2010, 3”h x 11” w x 11” d, handbuilt porcelain with wheelthrown components; oxidation fired to cone 10
Urchin is an interactive sculpture as well as a puzzle. There are 13 barnacle-like components that have been attached (through firing) to the perimeter of Urchin, and there are 10 others that are removable. The movable “barnacles” can be used to make multiple arrangements (on and off Urchin). However, Urchin is also a puzzle: there is only one way that the free “barnacles” can all be fit securely and comfortably into the center space.
Suzanne Stumpf
Suzanne Stumpf: Whale Sounds, 2007, 8” h x 29” w x 20”d, porcelain or porcelain paperclay; handbuilt with thrown necks; reduction fired to cone 10.
Whale Sounds is a multi-component, interactive sculptures. The shapes were inspired by listening to a recording of whales in which the whales’ calls ballooned rapidly and diminished into fine, thin, high endings. (Although some of the objects can elicit tones when blown, this was not my intention.)
Suzanne Stumpf: Spike, 2008, 5.5”h x 8”w x 3” d, wheelthrown and altered porcelain with handbuilt components; black slip and shellac resist; oxidation fired to cone 10
I am yet to meet a woman who does not smile knowingly or even laugh out loud when viewing “Spike.” “Für die Schönheit muß man leiden” — “For beauty, one must suffer.”
The fashion industry only seduced me into wearing too-high heels for a short time in my life. It was a long time ago, yet I do have a strong physical memory of how my feet felt after walking an unplanned distance or standing longer than anticipated in them.
“Spike” has innumerable permutations for viewing. When all of the black, orange, yellow, and white “pins” are removed, Spike is somewhat of a trompe l’oeil with the raised black dots disguising its holes. The pins at first glance seem to be playful pain indicators. Yet, because the pins are pointed on both ends, when we place them into Spike, can we feel also a wee bit of revenge?
Suzanne Stumpf: All the Little Cups of my Thoughts, 2010, 17”w x 10”d (tray dimensions), handbuilt with wheelthrown components; porcelain and porcelain paperclay; oxidation fired to cone 10
The beautiful and charming Buddhist mediation: “I will drink thy consciousness as joy and bliss from all the little cups of my thoughts” inspired this work. Each cup possesses a slightly different form and exterior texture, while I limited the interiors to a palate of blues and greens.
The “gridded” tray evokes a chess board which is appropriate to the tenor of the work as chess is a quiet, concentrated activity.
