ARTIST STATEMENT
I see myself as both an artist and a maker. The work I make has its roots in functional vessels but goes beyond that to stand on its own as a work of art. As a ceramic artist, I am always working with the two-dimensional and the three-dimensional – form and color. Saggar firing is all about setting up the conditions and trusting the process. It’s a combination of control and letting go. As in nature, each piece is unique.
In my recent work, I have continued to explore the relationship between traditional ceramic forms and the flowing lines and colors found in the world around us. The color and line on my surfaces are inspired by the majestic landscapes of the American West and the windswept New England coast.
BIOGRAPHY
Suzanne Hill has worked in clay for over 50 years. The romance of earth and fire led her to fall in love with clay, and never look back. After graduating with a major in Illustration from RISD, Hill further committed herself to the medium, and went on to earn a M.F.A. in Ceramics from the College of Ceramics at Alfred University. At Alfred, Suzanne was privileged to study under Wayne Higby, Dan Rhodes, Val Cushing, Jun Kaneko and Bob Turner.
Hill has joined the ceramics department of the University of Notre Dame. Her work is showcased in galleries across the country, among these spaces in Massachusetts including Martha’s Vineyard, and Acton as well as in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Scottsdale and Sedona in Arizona. Her work is distinctive for her experimentation with and
mastery of Saggar firing techniques.