claybyclaire

Claire Komenda is a 19-year-old ceramist living in Mesa, Arizona. She started ceramics as a freshman in high school, and is now a student at USU majoring in ceramics and archaeology. She creates large-scale ceramic vessels that explore the space between function and art. Inspired by the timeless forms and patterns of ancient pottery, she combines ambitious wheel-thrown forms with detailed carving, layered colored clays and painted underglaze designs.

Claire's art explores how a functional piece can be elevated beyond it's everyday usefulness and be experienced as art. To take traditional ceramic forms and, through scale, ornamentation and intricate detail, imbue them with an excess of beauty, labor and attention that elevates them beyond their practical purpose.

To learn more about Claire's art process and see her works-in-progress, follow along on her Instagram @clayby.claire