The audio file for this article was produced by the Ceramic Arts Network staff and not read by the author.

Ceramics Monthly: What do you see as the current trends in ceramics and how do you respond to them? 

Ayla Murray: The field of ceramics is expansive and remarkably varied, making it difficult to respond to all trends with a single body of work. However, the recurring trend of synthesizing sculpture and function has had a significant influence on my practice. I am continually looking for ways to elevate the mundane or everyday objects and make something like a butter dish simultaneously functional and extravagant. 

1 Ayla Murray's Butter dish, 7 in. (17.8 cm) in length, iron-bearing stoneware, wood fired to cone 10, reduction cooled, 2023.
1 Ayla Murray's Butter dish, 7 in. (17.8 cm) in length, iron-bearing stoneware, wood fired to cone 10, reduction cooled, 2023.

CM: How do you develop the forms or surfaces that are prevalent in your work? 

AM: When it comes to reduction-cooled wood firing, the surface created in the kiln plays a defining role in shaping the forms I make. For a time, I grappled with understanding what this particular finish contributed to my work and whether it made sense on a conceptual level. That changed when I recognized a connection between the reduction-cooled surface and the patina of aged, rusted metal. Having studied anthropology before pursuing ceramics, I have always admired the existing fragments of material culture from generations past, particularly metal cooking implements. This connection not only justified the aesthetic, but also influenced the way I approached the form and texture given to pieces fired in wood kilns. 

2 Ayla Murray's Set of ewers, 6½ in. (16.5 cm) in height (each), iron-bearing stoneware, wood fired to cone 10, reduction cooled, 2023.
2 Ayla Murray's Set of ewers, 6½ in. (16.5 cm) in height (each), iron-bearing stoneware, wood fired to cone 10, reduction cooled, 2023.

CM: What is one piece of advice you would offer to others pursuing ceramics? 

AM: It may seem too simple, but my advice would be to be persistent! Working in clay means you will be a lifelong student of craft, technique, and material capabilities. It is important to keep in mind that we are working with naturally occurring materials with impurities that can make or break your work, which is part of what makes ceramics such a fascinating field. Learn to control the things you can control, and compromise on the things that are beyond your authority. 

Learn more at aylamurray.com. 

Unfamiliar with any terms in this article? Browse our glossary of pottery terms!
Topics: Ceramic Artists, Functional Pottery
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