PAULA ACOSTA - CERAMIC SCULPTURE
I explore the sculptural world of the three-dimensional, the volumetric, the tangible and the tactile, from the earth and through the earth.
It is an introspective process, through which I become aware of the connections between my inner world and the outer world; and, as a result of this process, I create a kind of pieces that are part of a sort of "inner landscape."
I am interested in the physical work of my body interacting with clay; the changes that occur and the paths they take, the transformative power of force and struggle, the subtlety of a caress.
I value the mark that fire leaves on my work, accepting it as proof that I cannot control everything.
I work in sculpture through clay and ceramics because this craft offers me all the structural and plastic possibilities I need, and because it is, evidently, an immense universe full of metaphors waiting to be explored.
I feel comfortable with different ceramic techniques, using them one by one or combining them according to the needs of the piece I am working on though coiling and hand-modeling or carving are, without question, the ones I use the most.
I do not use glazes, because I want my pieces to keep referring back to the tactile sensation and color of the rocks from which clay originates.
I fire in a gas kiln, in long firings that allow me to reach 1200 degrees Celsius while playing with oxidation and reduction, always hoping that opening the kiln door will be an interesting surprise.
