Excavations and Negotiations in Clay

Award winning architect, Michael Poness draws on many sources of inspiration in “Excavations and Negotiations in Clay.” Ranging from the obscure, like ancient war machines, to the familiar, like the paintings of Jasper Johns, these sources look outside the discipline of pottery. Vessels typically begin as wheel-thrown forms that are then altered to produce nontraditional pottery. This continual search for new forms often begins with sketches, some of which are represented in this show.

Poness was first introduced to pottery while studying architecture at Catholic University. It took 30 years to come back to clay. Since his rediscovery of pottery in 2002, he has exhibited in Glen Echo Park, participated in juried exhibitions, including, the Jersey Shore Clay National, the Strictly Functional Pottery National, and the Fourth International Small Teapot Show at Saddleback College Art Gallery. His work has received numerous awards, including Best in Show at the Creative Craft Council’s 27th Biennial Exhibition at Strathmore Hall. He is currently represented at the m.t. Burton Gallery, Surf City, NJ and the Blue Spiral 1, Asheville, NC.