Artist Statement
My work focuses on the internal mental landscape and its metamorphosis through childhood to adult life. I create ceramic sculptures and functional pottery that explore shape and form, primarily focusing on surface detail that expresses chaos, trauma, and playfulness. I use traditional techniques like coil building and experimental glazes, often incorporating mixed materials for added dimension. Much of my inspiration and personal studying comes from psychology, particularly Internal Family Systems and Carl Jung’s Shadow Self theory. Explorations within the ceramic medium allow for me to display juxtaposing forces that create balance between the dark trauma, the child self and the adult world.
Artist Biography
Michelle Durham is a ceramic artist currently working in and from Detroit, Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Wayne State University in 2024 and works as the Education Studio Assistant at Pewabic Pottery. Most recently her work was featured in Michigan Ceramics 2024 Biennial Exhibition and Competition, EMERGENCES, BFA Thesis Exhibition, Wayne State University and at Fresh Looks, an exhibition for emerging artists held at Eastern Michigan University. She was recently sponsored by Wayne State University’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Project Award for her work titled “Clay and the Inner Child: An Interactive Experience.” Her work focuses on the ever-present internal and external fracturing between the adult and child self. With influences from childhood development, psychology and modern philosophy Michelle merges these ideas into her highly emotional pieces. With the motivation of healing and connection, she wants to merge ceramic arts into a pathway to help others connect with their inner world.