Emmie Kulak: A Vivid Embrace

Artist statement

I find my truest expression in the combination of all of the environment’s elements: fire, water, air, and earth. I immerse myself in the magic of shaping Earth’s elements into vessels that transcend mere functionality. My passion lies in creating from my bare hands, inventing surface design where eccentricity thrives and my imagination feels boundless. I explore human facial features with bright colors, bold lines, and shapes, as an expression of my mind.

Experimentation is the foundation of my creative journey. I never stay within my comfort zone by constantly seeking new vessel forms and techniques that challenge the norm of having one distinct style. Each piece is a different canvas waiting to be dressed in design by slip-trailing to create a symphony of colors, textures, and patterns that complete each other.

This creative process depends partly on skill but also embraces the unpredictability of the drying process, the glaze, and the kilns. I may plan it out as much as I wish, but it rarely turns out as expected. This may seem like a nightmare to some, but this is one of the reasons I fell in love with this process. I blend skill and spontaneity, letting chance take over; this breeds utter excitement within me.

I have taken an interest in exploring how to express human features in my designs abstractly. Since I was young I would doodle these same features, which have now been elevated in 3d forms. I aim to evoke curiosity and invite contemplation amongst the complex -almost chaotic- look of my forms and their design. I want people to have something to look at in every crevice, curve, and edge.

In each piece I create, my soul is embedded within - a tribute to my dedication to this ancient craft and making it my own. My hope is that those who view my art feel the same thrill of wonder that I experience in its creation. Through my exploration of form and design, I aim to spark joy and interest in the endless possibilities within the world of pottery.