Liam Luu

Ancient pottery informs and guides my work today. Ceramics has such a beautiful history of passing on knowledge. It is on this foundation that the next generation creates their works. I believe that by studying the past, we are able to learn so much from those who came before. There’s a saying in ceramics that all shapes and forms have already been created. In some way, that is true. I believe my goal is not to change the wheel. No matter how infinitesimal it may be, my hope is to be able to impart my own personal experience and story into my works.
Form and shape are the foundation of my work and happen before I ever begin work on the surface. The curve, the silhouette, the shadow it casts, the foot it stands on, and how a piece sits are all big parts of how I begin the pieces on the pottery wheel. Clay is soft and malleable in the beginning and becomes rigid through firing. I hope to keep the sense of flexibility in the clay even after it has gone through the firing. There are infinite ways you can decorate your work. This nature brings novelty and excitement to my work with clay. My passion is exploring the many ways one can create texture and color on a surface. You can use something as simple as water and flour to decorate your pot. By burning the mixture, you can create dynamic carbon footprints. You can fire your work at 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, pull it out when it’s glowing white, and throw oxide on its surface. You can grow crystal in your kiln to create flowers and beautiful symmetry in your work. The journey is endless and exciting.
I love to create work that is light and fragile. It requires you to pause and admire their delicateness and vulnerability. There’s wisdom in creating things that can stand the test of time, but I believe it is the fragility of a piece that brings with it its character and changes our experience with the work. In the last four years, working in ceramics has taught me so many things about myself and the world around me. Ceramics came into my life when I least expected and have given me a purpose and path for my future. Ceramic has taught me to slow down when working on a piece for weeks and waiting for it to dry and fire. Nothing is guaranteed; when things break or go wrong, it has taught me to let go and stop holding on to the past. It taught me to learn from my mistakes and find solutions in kinder and more forgiving ways.