Maya Sophie Stansbury
“The artwork I create is the lovechild of my greatest passions”
Artist Statement
Influenced by a deep reverence for nature and an insatiable curiosity about its inhabitants, my artwork becomes a tactile and aesthetic connection to the natural world. These sculptures involve complex subtractive carving of the ceramic surfaces, yielding increasingly detailed and delicate landscapes. This technique pushes the boundaries of clay, often resulting in structural vulnerabilities during firing—an allegorical nod to humanity’s exploitative rapport with nature. This subtractive approach to ceramics reflects on humanity’s inexorable depletion of natural resources, a trajectory that propels ecosystems and species toward obsolescence.
Synthesizing my background in drawing, painting and collage, I transmute my skills into ceramic vessels and sculptures that serve as multi-dimensional canvases. Drawing inspiration from nature’s harmonious choreography, these artworks encapsulate my endeavor to restore an elemental rapport with primordial origins. Through this artistry, I prompt introspection, urging viewers to reflect upon the significance of endangered species and the irreplaceable beauty of the natural world. My artwork resonates as a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility as custodians of this planet.