Scott Jones' Crumpled Cup, 4½ in. (11.4 cm) in height, handbuilt stoneware, HydroGlaze Dipped Decal (Woven Pattern), fired in reduction to cone 10 in a soda kiln, 2025.

My work is influenced by the dynamic movement and gestural qualities found in clay’s plasticity. I am drawn to the chaotic beauty of folds, wrinkles, and edges that emerge in response to touch. At the same time, I respect clay’s structural logic–allowing it to support itself and create form even as it bends and twists. My pots flirt with function and embrace sculptural vessels that prioritize being felt and seen. 

I developed the surface of my vessels with hydrographic printing (water-transfer printing), altering the process to be compatible with ceramic firings. I’m fascinated by the physical and chemical interactions this process presents: the printed graphic wrapping around the form, while its chemical make-up creates depth and texture when fired. In this way, the surface becomes an extension of my building process, capturing an interesting dialogue between precision and chance. 

1 Start with a thin, handbuilt cylinder, cut four evenly spaced darts, and collar the base inward. Keep the clay soft. 2 Refine the seams and lip, then crumple and tease the soft clay, transforming it into a gestural and expressive form.

3 Aim to create a variety of directions—vertical, horizontal, and diagonal—to build a sense of rhythm and complexity. 4 When working the lip, stay mindful of functionality, avoid excess manipulation that might make it difficult to use.

5 When adding a foot, keep the cup level. Imagine how the cup will fill with water to ensure it remains stable when in use. 6 The fired cup has a hydro-dipped glaze in a woven pattern and was fired in reduction to cone 10 in a soda kiln.

 

 

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