Kendall
Traylor
Work
→ Aggregate Bodies
→ Process
→ Shard Archive
→ Body Studies
→ Plantiful Undulation
→ Organic Fillers
About
→ bio
→ C/V
→ Revitalizing Clay
Shop
→ ReKlaymed:
100% Recycled Pottery
Contact
Kendall
Work
→ Aggregate Bodies
→ Process
→ Shard Archive
→ Body Studies
→ Plantiful Undulation
→ Organic Fillers
About
→ bio
→ C/V
→ Revitalizing Clay
Shop
→ ReKlaymed:
100% Recycled Pottery
Contact
BFA Culminating Show
A large part of my life's work, in both ceramics and drawing, has stemmed from highlighting the things I love. Growing up, I would draw my favorite television characters and celebrities. As I practiced more, I found that I had a natural understanding of shapes and figures. For upwards of ten years, I took art classes, doodled, and made commissions for my classmates. By enrolling in ceramics during my Junior year of High School, I quickly realized that clay was the perfect medium for my artistic desires, as it was more physically stimulating than illustration.
For the last seven years, I have been working with and trying to better understand clay as a medium. I came to CSULB as a Studio Art major, but quickly changed my mind after taking an intro ceramics class and befriending many of the existing Majors. For a long time, the ceramic work I created in the studio was all about intense detail and observation, just as the drawings I had made all my life were. But in Fall 2021, I enrolled in an experimental ceramics class that completely shifted the way I work.
In the last year, the basis of my practice has shifted from precise and painterly to a more organic, boundless foundation. By stepping out of my comfort zone, I have seen my work evolve. The current and future state of my artwork is not absolute or conclusive in my mind, but I am just following the way that the clay sways me. When building these forms, I do little to no planning; the clay ebbs and flows, telling me where to counteract the force. It feels cathartic to have this time to turn my brain off and completely build on instinct. Even though my practice has shifted to the abstract, I did not want to completely abandon the skills that I spent so many years honing. By joining the Biomedical Illustration Program, my hunger to create in great detail is satiated. Intention is a keyword for this exhibition. I wanted there to be a cohesive theme and feeling spread throughout the room, creating a scene for the viewer. I love having an extensive collection of exotic house plants, so creating a homescap complemented by drawings of the plants in the room has always been my vision. I do not connect a deeper meaning to my work, but I appreciate the symbolism behind many common plants that we own. I want the viewer to reflect on the meaning of each of these plant images on the wall and to leave the gallery having learned something.
Description of plant illustrations from left to right viewing:
1. Philodendron
- Love or appreciation of nature, tree-loving, health, and abundance
- Longing, eternity, perseverance, endurability, wealth, and good fortune
- Longevity/long life, respect, honor. Also monster, mystery, suffocation
- Known as 'the tree that grows up to the heavens’. It is said to be the plant in all the Western and Eastern versions of the fairytale of Jack and the Beanstalk. It thereby stands for seizing opportunities when they arise, even when they're risky.
L. 33.5’ x W. 22’
Stoneware, Earthenware, underglaze, glaze, found objects, stabilized clay, live plants
A collection of works for my Senior BFA Ceramics exhibition. Images by Griffin Traylor.
L. 21” x W. 23” x H 62.5” (measurements of piece in the center)
Stoneware, Earthenware, underglaze, glaze, found objects, stabilized clay, live plants
A detailed shot of the front left section of my gallery space. The piece in the middle, ‘Cat on Tree’, is the largest and is surrounded by an illustration on canvas, another sculpture (‘Tendrils Vessel’), and plants displayed in various ways.
L. 16.5” x W. 12” x H. 52” (lamp on pedestal) & L. 29” x W. 25” x H. 45” (chair on pedestal)
Stoneware, glaze, underglaze, stabilized clay, found objects, live plant
A small home scene of a ceramic chair and lamp, both shown on pedestals. A lampshade, pillow, and other objects are covered in stabilized clay to tie into the spot. A small Alocasia plant is placed on the floor as a compliment.
L. 12.5” x W. 9.5” x H. 67” (‘Helix’ including pedestal) & L. 15” x W. 15” x H. 40” (plant in pot)
Earthenware, underglaze, glaze, live plant
Hollow Terracotta clay form with a gradient of black and clear glaze. Displayed on a matching pedestal. A Snake Plant accompanying the sculpture is shown in a glazed pot made of recycled clay.
L. 61” x W. 24” x H. 32” (table measurements)
Earthenware, organic filler vessels, unglazed, live plants
Using my last 300 pounds of clay, I thought a table would complement my vision of a homescape. The table is adorned with organic filler vessels and plants. A large illustration of an Alocasia leaf is on the wall as a compliment.