peterpaulpottery

Politics of Pottery

Pottery is political. Its something that I’ve heard a lot, especially this past year. When I first heard this I was resistant to the idea. I did not want to be making a political statement in my work. But as I’ve grown I’ve begun to understand and appreciate the fact that pottery is in fact political.

Everything is political, and pottery is a part of everything.

In conversations with other potters about the political nature of pottery I’ve heard many things about why. There is the counter culture nature to the lifestyle. The potters life is slow, or maybe not slow, but self directed at least. Being a potter is not a 9-5 job, it’s a lifestyle. The idea of the rugged individual against the world is rejected for a more community focused vision.

When I think about what it means for pottery being political to me, I think about the moment I decided that I needed to start actively pursuing my goal of being a potter full time.

That decision started with the hard choice to quit my job at Deneen Pottery. I had a good job, where I was respected, had health care, had a stable income. I also had/have a sizable amount of student debt. But I realized I would never be able to be my own potter if I was giving my labor to someone else 40 plus hours a week. It was a very hard decision to make. I was giving up a stable life for one that was going to be more precarious. I also acknowledge that my decision was made easier because of my friends and family who can and would support me.

The fact of the matter is that I could have pursued this as a career full-time earlier if things like healthcare and student debt didn’t keep me at a 9-5. And this is from me who has the privilege of a middle class white man. I believe that people should be able to make a career of what they are passionate about without the fear of defaulting on student loans or breaking an arm and losing their house because of lack of healthcare.

True equity is removing the barriers so that are all able to pursue their passions and contribute to society in a meaningful way. That is what it means to me when I say pottery is political.

Mingeisota

I think of myself as a Minnesota potter. I’ve lived my whole life in Minnesota (save a single semester in college living in NYC), but there is a lot more to it than simply where I live. My entire ceramics career, and especially my early education, I’ve been steeped in the “Mingeisota” tradition; a tongue in cheek way to refer to the pottery movement lead by Warren Mackenzie, which has roots in the Mingei movement of the early 20th century Japan. The teachings, philosophy and spiritual nature of the Mingei movement underwent a game of cultural telephone. (This is a fascinating history that I am wholly unqualified to talk about in any kind of detail.)

As I see it, Mingeisota is the aesthetic philosophy of wabi sabi as it relates to the cultural context of midwest America. In short wabi sabi is a Japanese philosophy that says “greatness exists in the inconspicuous and overlooked details” and that “beauty can be coaxed out of ugliness”. These precepts, for the most part, found a home in the stoicism of the mid west.

“There is beauty to be found in ordinary and utilitarian everyday objects made by unknown craftspeople.”

I try to make beautiful utilitarian objects that are generous and humble. Generous in proportion and in portion. Humble in that the pots are intended for use and I don’t pretend to make them something they are not. But I sign the work I make, and my cupboards are filled with pots that are all signed. I see them as a physical representation of a human connection.

There is a rich tradition of midwest potters, who make work inspired by the folk craft movement. I’m simply following a well worn path. I’m still relatively early on this path, I’m sure my out look and feelings will change and evolve as I grow as a potter and as a person.

Introduction

Welcome to Peter Paul Pottery! This website has been a long time coming and I’m thrilled you’ve stopped by. Please visit my ‘Work’ page to check out my gallery and ‘Shop’ page to view what is available on Etsy. Here’s a little about me:

I am a Minnesotan born and raised. I grew up in Little Canada and attended Roseville Area High School. In my freshman year I took my first ceramics class and fell in love with clay. Making pots came naturally to me and I loved the challenge of getting what was in my head out onto the table. It was a great creative outlet for my young self.

Following high school I attended Bethel University. I started as a Biblical and Theological Studies major and intended on becoming a pastor. After a falling out with organized religion I dropped that major and, with little idea of what to do next, switched to the Fine Arts program with an emphasis on ceramic art. While I had no idea what would come next for myself, I did know I wanted to keep making pots.

After graduating with my BFA, I got my first job working at Deneen Pottery as a Glaze Technician. This was a huge learning experience. Working in a production setting was completely new to me and showed me a perspective on making pots that I would not have gotten anywhere else. The hardest lesson for me to learn was that it would be very difficult for me to be a potter on my own while also working and making pots for someone else.

I am currently fresh off a residency with Guillermo Cuellar through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. I am so grateful for the grant that has allowed me to work as a potter full time for the past year(ish). I currently live in Saint Paul with my wife, two cats and dog. Over the next week I will share more about my work, studio and thoughts on pots. I would love to hear from you and how you came to clay as well! Thanks for following along!