Meghan Yarnell - Artaxis.org

This cup was inspired by the need to have a perfect lawn, algae blooms, and weeds. Dandelions naturally add nitrogen into the soil. Fertilizers add synthetic nitrogen which is water soluble and can contribute to the contamination of ground water. The blades of grass are meant to look anemic compared to the vibrant dandelion and the decal "flowers" are made from the wifi symbol and represent human interaction with nature.

Meghan Yarnell - "Dandelion Wine Cup"
2022, 4'' x 3'', Media: Porcelain, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Image transfer / Decals / Screenprint
This cup was inspired by the need to have a perfect lawn, algae blooms, and weeds. Dandelions naturally add nitrogen into the soil. Fertilizers add synthetic nitrogen which is water soluble and can contribute to the contamination of ground water. The blades of grass are meant to look anemic compared to the vibrant dandelion and the decal "flowers" are made from the wifi symbol and represent human interaction with nature.

This design was inspired by the need to have a perfect lawn, algae blooms, and weeds. Clovers provide food for bees and naturally add nitrogen into the soil. Fertilizers add synthetic nitrogen which is water soluble and can contribute to the contamination of ground water. The blades of grass are meant to look anemic compared to the vibrant clovers. The decals are "flowers" made from the wifi symbol and represent human interaction with nature.

Meghan Yarnell - "Clover Cup"
2022, 5'' x 3'' , Media: Porcelain, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Image transfer / Decals / Screenprint
This design was inspired by the need to have a perfect lawn, algae blooms, and weeds. Clovers provide food for bees and naturally add nitrogen into the soil. Fertilizers add synthetic nitrogen which is water soluble and can contribute to the contamination of ground water. The blades of grass are meant to look anemic compared to the vibrant clovers. The decals are "flowers" made from the wifi symbol and represent human interaction with nature.

This design was inspired by the "war on drugs." The decal "flower" is made from the $ symbol and the seedpods are meant to represent jail bars. In October 2017, the federal government declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency, yet the US has the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world and spends over 47 billion dollars a year fighting a war we are clearly losing.

Meghan Yarnell - "Poppy Vase"
2022, 7'' x 4'' , Media: Porcelain, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Image transfer / Decals / Screenprint, Unglazed
This design was inspired by the "war on drugs." The decal "flower" is made from the $ symbol and the seedpods are meant to represent jail bars. In October 2017, the federal government declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency, yet the US has the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world and spends over 47 billion dollars a year fighting a war we are clearly losing.

The ginkgo tree can tolerate many urban conditions including heat, air pollution, salt, and confined spaces making it compatible with our current climate/living conditions. The decal "flowers" are made from the wifi symbol and represent human interaction with nature.

Meghan Yarnell - "Ginkgo Jar"
2022, 4'' x 5'' , Media: Porcelain, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Image transfer / Decals / Screenprint
The ginkgo tree can tolerate many urban conditions including heat, air pollution, salt, and confined spaces making it compatible with our current climate/living conditions. The decal "flowers" are made from the wifi symbol and represent human interaction with nature.

A record has been kept of the celebrations around when cherry trees bloom, making them an excellent indicator of climate change since the dates are getting earlier and earlier. The "flower" decals around the blossoms are actually made from the wifi symbol, representing human interaction with the natural world.

Meghan Yarnell - "Cherry Blossom Planter"
2022, 5'' x 5'' x 6'' , Media: Porcelain, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Image transfer / Decals / Screenprint
A record has been kept of the celebrations around when cherry trees bloom, making them an excellent indicator of climate change since the dates are getting earlier and earlier. The "flower" decals around the blossoms are actually made from the wifi symbol, representing human interaction with the natural world.

This design is inspired by GMO Salmon which is genetically modified to grow larger and faster than natural salmon. The decal patterns are made from a section of DNA.

Meghan Yarnell - "GMO Salmon Mug"
2022, 4'' x 4'' , Media: Porcelain, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Image transfer / Decals / Screenprint, Unglazed
This design is inspired by GMO Salmon which is genetically modified to grow larger and faster than natural salmon. The decal patterns are made from a section of DNA.

This design is inspired by art imitating life and has a crane flying around origami cranes.

Meghan Yarnell - "Origami Crane Bowl"
2022, 5'' x 5'' , Media: Porcelain, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Unglazed
This design is inspired by art imitating life and has a crane flying around origami cranes.

I live near a nuclear power plant that had a very close call with disaster a few years ago. This design contrasts energy from wind turbines with "snowflakes" made from the nuclear symbol.

Meghan Yarnell - "Turbine Cup"
2022, 5'' x 3'', Media: Porcelain, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Image transfer / Decals / Screenprint
I live near a nuclear power plant that had a very close call with disaster a few years ago. This design contrasts energy from wind turbines with "snowflakes" made from the nuclear symbol.

Meghan Yarnell - "Mushroom Mug"
2022, 4'' x 3'', Media: Porcelain, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Image transfer / Decals / Screenprint

Starlings were brought to the United States by Eugene Schieffelin. He was a fan of Shakespeare and wanted to bring every bird mentioned in his works to the US. He brought 60 of the birds over in 1890, we now have over 200 million of them. They displace native species and also spread disease. These starlings are meant to look like they're escaping.

Meghan Yarnell - "Starling Mug"
2022, 4'' x 4'', Media: Porcelain, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Engobe / Slip / Underglaze, Glazed, Unglazed
Starlings were brought to the United States by Eugene Schieffelin. He was a fan of Shakespeare and wanted to bring every bird mentioned in his works to the US. He brought 60 of the birds over in 1890, we now have over 200 million of them. They displace native species and also spread disease. These starlings are meant to look like they're escaping.

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Artist Statement

I am inspired by the beauty and uniqueness that can be found only in the natural world. From the delicate petals of a cherry blossom to the graceful flight of a crane, nature is amazing, intriguing, and inimitable.

I am disheartened by the increasing encroachment of humans on nature. Our interactions with the natural world are quickly becoming more and more intrusive and irreversible. In a culture that values quantity (or profit) over quality, green lawns over clean water, and convenience over sustainability, I find myself drawn more and more to the intricacies of the natural world.

I hope to subtly convey the contrast and collision between humans and the natural world by combining images of nature with patterns inspired by suburban sprawl, popular culture, and technology. I create functional pottery because I love the idea that art can be both beautiful and useful. I like to think that my work is subtlety infused with enough meaning to inspire thought while it is being used.

Bio

Meghan Yarnell grew up in Northwest Ohio. Many of her happiest childhood memories include the time she spent exploring the field, creek, and woods behind her home. She graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2005 with a degree in 3D studies and has been teaching art in the public school system ever since. She is currently working as a high school ceramics teacher in Perrysburg, Ohio where she maintains a home studio alongside her husband and three children.