Artist Statement
I am a process-based artist that utilizes modular repetition to create sculptures and installations that highlight spatial relationships of rooms or the parameters of the sculpture itself. I dig my own clay from local farms and creek beds, process it, and use simple actions to create these works. One singular, repetitive gesture creates the individual module and the space dictates how many modules will be created. The ceramic pieces are then once fired and are left unglazed to preserve the evidence of my hand in each piece. These pieces then fill areas and create a collective whole.
In noticing these relationships, I aim to create a platform for each viewer to become mindful of the sourced material. I ask the viewer to actively notice the touch of my hand, the contrast of sleek to handcrafted, and the area this work fills. This act of observing derives from the ideas of social psychologist Ellen Langer: “the simple act of actively noticing things.” With the hopes that this action of noticing, creates a mindful presence in the space.
Anecdotally, I worked in a book binding factory in the summers between my undergraduate studies. While working there, I discovered the books touch more hands than most think about. These books are unloaded, covers ripped off, new binding smoothed down, and repacked with care to ship back to the teacher who passes each out to a new student to open, or not. The themes of actively noticing and collectivism have centered in my own art practice due to this experience. Through these works I aim to create relationships from myself as creator to viewer, viewer to space, and space to object.
Bio
Brittany Sievers received her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana and MFA from Louisiana State University. During her time as a graduate student, Brittany was awarded the Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award and the Aeschlimann Art-St-Urban Spring Residency in Switzerland. In 2021, Brittany was awarded an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award in 3D. Brittany went on to teach ceramics at DePauw University, served as the 3D studio coordinator at Vincennes University, and taught all 3D courses while managing the ceramic and sculpture studio at Muskingum University. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Art teaching ceramics at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point.