Karen Rizzo: Toasted

Artist statement

In this project, I explore the idea of "the artist" and its ever-evolving definitions through the lens of 20th-century American ceramics. Though the identity of a ceramic artist emerged in late-19th-century America, this identity is one that constantly fluctuates. My research investigates the definitions and differing ideas of "artist" as they developed through the 20th century and into the 21st. I am also interested in how these multiple definitions might interact with each other.

At times, a ceramicist's physical interaction with their work could be the key component of what makes them the "artist." However, at other times, the person who physically made the work might be relegated to the role of "potter" or "craftsperson." Because of this, one of the key themes of my research is the constructed binary between art and craft. Certain definitions of "artist" might intentionally or unintentionally exclude certain ceramicists or groups of ceramicists. Overall, the idea of a ceramic artist has been a recent but eventful development in the American art world, and one that still calls into question ideas of authorship .

In the pieces on display here, I’ve worked in collaboration with fellow Augustana students to emulate a few of the larger trends in authorship within 20th-century American ceramic arts. Though there are some intentional stylistic similarities between each piece and the movement I used as inspiration, my main emphasis is on process and attribution for these pieces. Each contributor’s physical interactions with the work varies from piece to piece in an intentional nod to specific movements in 20th-century ceramic arts. Similarly, the differences in which contributor is the credited artist of each piece is meant to reflect the trends seen in each respective movement.