Caroline Leblanc

Artist’s Statement of Introduction

Caroline LeBlanc

My focus is to highlight the beauty in the mundane, ordinary, and often random occurrences of life. Looking at the state of twenty-first century America, it is easy to see that people are often caught up in the rapid pace of life. In doing so, people lose the beauty in each day, such as the recurring sun rise, the changes in the seasons, or interactions with family and friends. As a result, I seek to highlight this beauty by capturing it in everyday objects, such as ceramic plates or bowls, and making them beautiful through their own unique textures or glazes.

            I gain my inspiration from the minimalism movement and artists such as Shino Takeda. The minimalism movement, which developed after World War II, highlights the simplicity in art and the need to value every moment of life. Likewise, Takeda’s work often portrays traditional Japanese elements while also maintaining unique and original designs. For example, her “Wisteria and Lake” is a tea cup that was fired in a wood fire, an ancient technique, and was glazed with a rich blue hue to capture the mystery of the lake. This cup reflects Takeda’s focus on color and shape that is similar to my “Boston Strong,” which is a traditional wheel spun piece that is unique through its specific glazes and texture.

Leonid Afremov inspires me to capture the vibrancy of life. Though he worked with oil paints, a medium I do not use, his pieces are always incredibly bright and maintain a variety of colors. For example, Afremov’s “City by the Lake” depicts a couple simply walking down a street near a city. This oil painting illustrates an ordinary scene through dramatic hues and inspires me to achieve this same attention to the simple.

            I often utilize clay as my medium, though I also have experience with porcelain. By using clay, I am able to better sculpt the objects and have more freedom in adding precise textures. For example, I just finished sculpting a piece on the wheel that has the texture of a birch tree. Through this piece, I seek to replicate the overlooked beauty of nature. As I gain my inspiration from the societal trend toward anxiety and overcomplication, I hope that my pieces allow people to reflect on the simple aspects of each day.