Murray State's Digital Commons

Collection Title

Unique Perspectives

Author/Artist Name

Kylie ConawayFollow

Files

Academic Level at Time of Creation

Senior

Date of Creation

Fall 11-18-2022

Artist Statement

Through my work I strive to create a sense of completeness and contentment. I make my art for others so that they can have something meaningful in this chaotic world. Ceramics is one of my main focuses because I enjoy the amount of control I feel when I throw something on a wheel. The tranquility and peacefulness I feel from it can't match anything else. In day to day life I am a very unorganized, scattered brain student; but as soon as I start working on ceramics or photography I can become the most serious person you have ever met.

The process for my pieces revolves around others. I very much enjoy giving but I prefer to create from a vague idea than a solid one. I believe in a sense that clay has a mind of its own. The more you try to force it to look like one thing you can end up getting a completely different outcome. I start with a simple idea of an object such as a vase. As I start to begin the process of deciding how big and what theme I want to go with, I slowly sink into a rhythm of building the clay up and working on the thickness. While creating a piece of work I do not focus much on what I want but on what others would enjoy. My artwork is almost always functional. I make a lot of vases and bowls, but I enjoy making tea pots, cups, or mugs. Anything anyone could use on a daily basis. Recently I have started experimenting with photography and the different ways to tell a story and express emotions through it. With photography, I enjoy having the ability to look at things from a different angle. To move in close and show the little details that aren’t always seen at first glance. There's a sense of mystery, clarity and stillness with each photograph the closer I get to an object.

My artwork is mostly inspired by the people and objects around me. In particular I would have to say I have been influenced by Tara Wilson's functional ceramics. Her pieces have a lot of movement and are often very figurative. A lot of the time I get caught up in the basic form of a mug or bowl and I forget that the soft skin of the pot could be altered and manipulated. These different styles I feel are very satisfying and calming and something I would like to experiment more with in the near future. In photography I have explored different views and styles and have developed an interest in up close photography and will be experimenting with it as well.

Advisor/Mentor

Timothy Martin; John Utgaard; Cintia Segovia

Description

Ceramics, 7 1/4" x 5" x 6 1/2"

Ceramics, 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 3"

Ceramics, 3 1/2" x 5 3/4" x 2 3/4"

Ceramics, 4" x 5 1/4" x 3 1/2"

Ceramics, 5 3/4" x 5 1/4" x 5 1/2"

6 Luster Photographs, 8.5" x 11"

Recommended Citation

Conaway, Kylie, "Unique Perspectives" (2022). B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499). 58.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art499/58