Deborah Sofferman 

Artist Statement

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For the past fifteen years, I've been fascinated with all the possibilities of creating ceramic porcelain pears. To me, the pear represents more than fruit. It represents chomping into life and living it!

As an object of nature, the pear is an example of an earthly gift divinely designed to be indiscriminately enjoyed by anyone... same as grass, flowers, the sun, sky and so forth.
As a metaphor for Life, the presence within each of us must fully emerge and express itself in communion with our spiritual essence.

This pear-form is really more of a starting point.  The curvaceousness of these hand-built porcelain pears lend themselves to varietal color palates, qualities and techniques that respond to glazes, underglazes, pencil, brush, stain, lusters, etc.  Often, my pears are edged & laced with gold luster (making three separate visits to the kiln).  Spikes, studs, feet, ridges, pearls, balls, lids, vessels, handles, etc. are all a playful departure from the actual fruit.

The concept of duplication is rejected in favor of individuality as no two are ever the same.
Herewith, a celebration of Pears.