Vanessa Norris

At the core of Cloud 9 is perception, and that starts with how the work is viewed from far away versus up close. I make voluminous, buoyant–almost “Seussical”–forms that will potentially grab attention but incorporate white designs on a white clay body in an effort to separate those who will come closer from those who will but glance at my work. Visually, white does not stand out against gallery walls or in the kitchen cupboard; it is a common color for cheap, manufactured ceramic tableware. This lends itself nicely to adding unexpected, tactile elements to my pieces–present only for those who choose to stop, to touch, to ponder. There is a difference between looking and seeing; the interaction (or lack of interaction) is as much a part of my work as the work itself. Placing meaning within the structure of a “common” object is my way of elevating the status of pottery to that of an art form.

Poetry is another important part of how I communicate. It is an internal conversation I have with myself–a different way of processing and cementing what I cannot yet vocalize, and it acts as the grout that holds the shards of my practice together. I am handing you the blueprints to navigate my thoughts–but you as the viewer must first put in the effort. The recognizable iconography of the cloud provides an access point to enter the language of my work. It allows space for reflection on the role cloud idioms play in our perception of the world and our relationships. The small nuances of the everyday are what make a life, after all. For those who take the time, tableware provides an intimate way to experience art.

— Vanessa Norris

Vanessa Norris is a ceramic artist best known for her functional tableware. Central to her work is her interest in what does or does not captures the attention of the viewer, purposely incorporating designs and/or textures only visible from closeup. Parallel to her ceramic practice, she writes poetry that often pairs with a body of work or specific piece, allowing the viewer/user to approach her work with a different level of understanding.

Vanessa graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a BFA in Ceramics in 2016. Since then, she moved to Washington state and became an assistant to Deb Schwartzkopf at Rat City Studios. She has exhibited in many states across the US, including Massachusetts, California, Texas, Wisconsin, Washington, Connecticut, and Colorado. Her work has been featured in the Exposure section of Ceramics Monthly, and she regularly writes blog posts for Rat City Studios. Vanessa currently lives and works in West Seattle.