Elizabeth Rawson
Ceramicist, among other things
Here is some information about me!
Bio
Elizabeth Rawson is a ceramicist who uses digital fabrication techniques in conjunction with clay to create slip cast pieces that exist as both functional objects and artistic sculptures. She approaches her practice with the spirit of play in mind, always seeking to facilitate interaction and amusement through her work.
Elizabeth received her BFA in Ceramics from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas in 2023. She is currently living in Albuquerque, New Mexico as she pursues her MFA in studio art at the University of New Mexico.
Elizabeth Rawson is a ceramicist who uses digital fabrication techniques in conjunction with clay to create slip cast pieces that exist as both functional objects and artistic sculptures. She approaches her practice with the spirit of play in mind, always seeking to facilitate interaction and amusement through her work.
Elizabeth received her BFA in Ceramics from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas in 2023. She is currently living in Albuquerque, New Mexico as she pursues her MFA in studio art at the University of New Mexico.
Artist Statement
I like to make work that feels playful and engaging in a direct, tangible way. Pieces that practically beg to be picked up. When I encounter something intriguing, my first impulse is to grab it, turn it over in my hands, and explore it. I want my work to invite that same curiosity.
The bulk of my work centers on creating functional sculptures that are playful, humorous, and engaging. My goal is to inspire the curiosity of one’s inner child through caricatures of everyday objects and pieces that encourage hands-on interaction.
I am fascinated by the ways in which our childhood selves show up in adulthood, and I wonder how reconnecting to those vestigial children within us can enable a greater sense of understanding and compassion for one another. In a similar way, I am drawn to pushing the boundaries of material and process by combining ancient ceramic techniques with modern digital fabrication tools. I create pieces that function in daily use while also standing on their own as artworks.
My preferred method of working with clay is slipcasting; I find the ability to produce the same form over and over with extreme precision to be incredibly satisfying. I use CAD software to sketch designs, which ultimately become 3D printed prototypes, from which I make plaster molds for casting. This process is ideally suited for my work because constructing layer cakes out of plates, or comically large ice cream cones out of bowls requires precision and reproducibility that I could not otherwise achieve. My practice also includes hand building techniques, either to alter slip cast forms or for more complex organic forms.
This work eagerly invites you to defy the phrase “look, but don’t touch.” My functional ceramic pieces beg to be held and interacted with, and I encourage a spirit of play through the modular elements of my sculptures and the surprises they reveal as they are put into use.
Resume