Sasha Bakalic

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

Title: Peeling Away, Stacked Vases

Year of Creation: 2011

Glaze: Terra sigillata, sgraffito, clear liner glaze, fired to cone 5 in oxidation

Clay Body: Little Loafer's Glory Glaze

Dimensions: Height 15 inches (tallest)

Artist's Statement: My inspiration comes from microscopic images of various cells and microorganisms as basis of all life. I am intrigued by the idea of creating beautiful and elegant, abstract surfaces based on microscopic images of cells and organism that often make people feel uncomfortable. In the same way as microorganism are multiplying and spreading, so are my pieces. I find great excitement in making yet another similar but totally unique piece. I mostly work with white stoneware coated with very fine, polished clay-based clip called terra sigillata. Unlike glassy glazes that cover clay completely, terra sigillata is just superfine clay that leaves surface open and preserves all tactile properties of clay.