Jason Holley: 2012 RBC Emerging Artist Nominee

"I love creating my work. When I get anxious, restless, agitated, I head to the studio. I find certainty in the pattern, reassurance in my methods. It can be unforgiving. Mistakes in the pattern compound themselves and can be difficult to dig out. The clay must be specifically dry, too wet and it warps, too dry and it crumbles. It requires a discipline and commitment I've not managed anywhere else in life. The Raku firings are cathartic. It seems appropriate that after all the care I put in to each piece I chose such a violent and destructive method of finishing. Raku is notoriously difficult to control and often leads to disaster, when it works it can be glorious. The finished work looks so strong, militaristic, permanent. It's not. The slightest violence will show just how brittle my illusion really is. I'm not out to fool people. I've wasted so much energy hiding my own weaknesses I'm becoming eager to highlight them. For me, these sculptures are about weakness, not strength." Jason Holley, 2012 RBC Emerging Artist Nominee ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TO VOTE VISIT: http://www.gardinermuseum.com/rbcemer...