Aliya Ahmad
Building a lamp, urn, vase or carving a sculpture is always a unique experience. I rarely have an exact final image in mind. I mostly let the endless possibilities of form, scale, texture and function, that forever change with the mood of both creator and clay, determine my ultimate work of art .The majority of my pieces are hand-built as hand building gives me a sense of freedom. I strive to use many elements in my creations from the marks of my fingers and tools to the effects of fire and smoke during the kiln process.
It is after the first firing, with clay getting converted to ceramic, when the painter in me comes alive. I often times feel that I am a painter who makes pottery. A big source of inspiration for me are painters from the 20th century especially Picasso. The possibilities of layering glazes for that new ‘surprise’ or getting involved in intricately painting the piece with underglazes or a combination of under and over glazes are where my true passion is released.
I like to give my pieces soft organic tones and hues that seem to “age” the pieces evoking the sensation that they are from the past.
"Functionality is a key element in my creations.”
Selected Works
