Marla Benton

Ceramics is an art form that allows for function and sculpture to mix or be completely separate. My style varies. There is pleasure in both for me. I find myself amused with functional ceramics that engage the user in a playful manner and sculptures that create an emotional reaction for a viewer. My functional work consists of two rather different aesthetics which are differentiated by two firing temperatures. In my cone 6 work, I experiment with different hand built and thrown forms that curve around the surface of a thrown pot. I have an interest in ergonomics and how one would interact with a functional object that is expected to be used. With the simplicity of my thrown wares: cups, bowls, teapots, plates, spoons, I am able to play with the complexities of how to handle each object. The handles or the human interaction with the vessel never interfere with the function, though they are the main focus at the first appearance. In my cone 04 work, there is less of a physical sense of interacting with the user and more of an emotional or comical engagement. My forms are often very simple and functional. It is in the decoration that I engage the user. Writing is a quick way to grab an extended attention to a piece. By using text, a personal journal entry or a comical interlude, I hope to engage the user in more than just the function of a piece. In both varieties of my functional work, I believe strongly in “one of a kind”. My own kitchen cupboard is full of different pieces of dining ware. I always allow my guest to choose their own vessel of use. It allows for each person to be identified as unique and an individual for that dining experience. My sculptural work is playful, both magical and mysterious. I love to engage the viewer with the scale and perspective of a piece. We understand scale because of an internal comparison of what is supposed to be big and what is supposed to be small. By changing the scale of an object, there tends to be an emotional reaction in some way or another. As I am a teacher as well as an artist, I am constantly reminded of a child’s perspective. Being able to see things, less tainted and more precious, allows my sense of the world to be more playful. I have always been a daydreamer and consumed with the thought that our world is a magical and mysterious place. With my perspective and concept of scale, I create my larger than life sculptures of traditionally gross things in nature: bugs, fungus, and spiders. I try to imagine and create a way that these objects are magical and desirable to live with.

Cotton Candy My Muchness and Little Apple $185.00	Grass	Leeann and Luscious Ladybugs $225.00
Marla Benton red popcicle (5)	Sunflower	Susan Black $195.00
Teapot 1 White Earthenware $175.00	Teapot 2 White Earthenware $175.00	Teapot 3 White Earthenware $175.00
Tripod Vase 1 White Earthenware $40.00	Tripod Vase 2 White Earthenware $40.00	Tripod Vase 3 White Earthenware $40.00