Variations upon Simplicity: Porcelain Tableware by shawn spangler from usa

Shawn is a vessel maker focusing on the production of tableware. Using porcelain in their
creation, his pots begin on the wheel, his thrown forms simply defined with strong lines, their
surfaces smoothly finished. This refined surface and his clarity of form provide the perfect
ground for addition, decoration, manipulation and/or alteration. Shawn uses all in the creation
of his work. For complex forms, multiple thrown parts are used in combination. His sensitivity
to scale and the relationship of each part to the whole is obvious, as is his skill in making and
mastery of his chosen material.

Shawn develops surface in a variety of ways. Using incised line and/or repetitive sprigs or
appliqués he creates pattern. Too, through the subtle manipulation of thrown forms, the gentle
pushing in and out of the walls of the pots themselves, Shawn achieves a finished affect
mirroring tufting, his circular indentations like buttons drawing inward, the material surrounding
them softly rolling and swelling outward. Then incising straight lines diagonally into the surface
of these tufted forms, he connects the circular indents creating a diamond pattern, later
emphasized through staining in glazing. It’s a beautiful juxtaposition, these pots appearing
as if they’ve inhaled a breath of air. Shawn also develops surface interest in the glazing
process through juxtaposition of color, color applied to incised line and color applied to sprigs or
appliqués in contrast to the overall ground.

Shawn smartly recognizes pots role as cultural and social signifiers. Throughout the course
of human history, pots have informed those living today of past ways of life. Whether peasant
ware or palace ware, their material composition, form and surface decoration, inform. They
tell a story of where, when and oftentimes why the object was made and how it was used.
Though made by singular pairs of hands, pots contain the potential to tell the story of many.

-Jeff Guido