Artist Statement

Since early childhood I have found great comfort and a sense of self when leaning into creativity and my imagination. Relationships, food, ambiance, touch, and laughter are all things that bring me happiness and resonate in my work through avenues of function and connection to the sences. The versatility of clay has taught me patience and given me a voice that feels like freedom. I believe art is work that doesn’t end. Yes, it goes on and on, my friend. And once upon a time I started doodling on the empty edges of homework, covering walls with collages of my favorite things, and I fell in love with my own clutter. It seems that my desire to enhance the space around me has evolved into necessity. Though on a much smaller scale, working with clay offers a constantly refreshed clean slate for me to define. Carving, coloring, layering, doodling, shaping, smoothing - I refuse to settle in this relationship with clay where less is not more. Perhaps it will always feel like a deep connection with discovery and the passion that I have felt inside for my entire life.

Learn more about me in this article by Voyage Raleigh: 'Conversations with Jennifer Siegel'