Amy Meya

Amy Meya

Artist Statement

"Ceramic tiles are like sequins on a dress, the glitter catches the eye, holds your attention and brings your gaze back for a second look. Texture can do the same, only you look deeper into the piece-how was the texture created? What does it represent?

The texture in my work is created by using stamps that I have made from clay and fired once, the porous nature of the bisque stamps allows for easy release, and a true detailed stamp. Tessellation, the repeat of one particular shape, has always fascinated me. Many examples are all around us, from a honeycomb, to concrete block walls, to the tiles on a bathroom floor. I have used tessellation as a design base, and built on it to create movement and composition. Asian textiles, Spanish tile buildings, modern art and landscape paintings are some influences."

The Process

"Like a painting, each piece is created individually, the clay my canvas, the glaze my paint. As a painter must prepare the canvas, I too prepare the slab of clay by adding texture by stamping with my tools. My tools are pieces of clay that are cut thick into particular shapes that will tessellate (or a tiling with no gaps) the top surface is carved or stamped. The tools are fired once and ready to use. A slab roller is used to roll out the clay and then cut to the desired dimensions. After smoothing the clay on both sides I begin stamping, the process created un-even, organic edges. The occasional stress crack appears after firing, which adds interest to the composition."

Water Tiles

"The water tiles are created a bit differently. I prepare the clay by wedging it, (kneading it) to remove any air pockets, potters do this before they throw on the wheel. Once I get a good amount wedged, I take the whole chunk and throw it on the floor, then they turn it and throw it again, until I have created a tall tower of clay, approx. 18" high and 4" square. I set the tower on the end of my table and begin slicing the tiles with a stretched out spring. The waves in the spring create the lines in the tiles, and the way I cut creates movement, waves."

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