Paul S. Briggs is an artist whose work is characterized by curling leaves and pinched patterns that adorn his bold vessels. Using a slab-building technique, Briggs creates chunky sculptures that reflect nature, mindfulness, and the flexibility of clay as a medium.
Approaching his process as a form of meditation, Briggs meticulously pinch-forms each piece from a single ball of clay. He emphasizes the precision of his work by using the hashtag #noadditionorsubtraction when sharing his creations on social media, highlighting how the form emerges solely from the initial quantity of clay.
Briggs describes his process as a combination of building with slabs and pinching, allowing him to both conceptualize his ideas and find a sense of calm through the physical act of forming the clay. As a teacher at The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Briggs incorporates elements of educational theory, art education, theology, and art into his studio practice and finished pieces. He emphasizes the importance of patience in the creative process, urging students to slow down and approach their work with assertiveness and tenderness, especially when working with large amounts of clay.
The artist’s vessels feature undulating leaf forms, intimate divots, and rippling edges that create a mesmerizing, three-dimensional effect reminiscent of a zoetrope. Recently, Briggs has been experimenting with a combination of slow, intentional pinches and loose, intuitive marks in his work, exploring the potential of merging different approaches within a single form.
Briggs will be showcasing some of his vessels in an exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Art School at Old Church in Demarest, New Jersey, as well as preparing for a solo exhibition at Lucy Lacoste Gallery in Concord, Massachusetts. His work is a testament to the mindful, meditative technique he employs, where each vessel tells a unique story through its intricate details and organic forms. For more information on Paul S. Briggs and his work, visit his website.
