Katie Botterman
DURATION: October 2023 - January 2024
Much of Katie Botterman’s recent work revolves around universalities of humankind and her interest in cuneiform and ancient text has led her back to mythology and the various groups throughout history that believed that humans were first sculpted out of earth or clay. Some examples include Sumerian, ancient Greek, Chinese myth, and Christianity. Botterman connects this concept to a phenomenon we have all likely experienced: pareidolia, or seeing patterns and faces where none exists.
Botterman plans to create a series of sculptures with rocky and mountainous faces, limbs, and bodies, making the human figure and the earth one in the same. Familiarizing the audience with how our subconscious recognizes a human in the world that was shaped by the movements of the Earth. Simultaneously familiarizing the audience with the myths of our own creation.
Botterman’s strongest works come from thorough planning and research. She plans to experiment with figurative sculpture. Botterman has sketchbooks full of notes and plans and is eager for a break from the daily grind to focus on and develop her practice. Boterman highly values being a part of a creative community. The works Botterman will produce while in New Harmony would be used to strengthen her portfolio, further develop her practice to eventually pursue her MFA.
QUICK FACTS
How many years have you been working as a clay artist? 7 years give or take, I began working with clay in 2014 but I became serious about it in 2016/17
What is your main clay body that you currently use? standard ceramics 112 brown stoneware
What is the primary method you use for building your work? solid build then hollowed, or wheel-thrown and altered
What is your favorite studio tool? my hands
Do you have any future clay wishes or dreams? To have my own studio and be able to financially support myself with ceramics alone
ARTIST STATEMENT
Recently in my work I've been exploring ideas of permanence and remembrance. How will I be remembered in the future? How will my words outlive me? I've been using cuneiform, the world's first writing system, to link myself to those working in clay that came long before me. I feel my work exists in a skewed time frame; past, present, and future blurred together. One thing that is always consistent to me is nature, both human nature and the world around us. Both are constantly inspiring to me in the ways they change yet somehow stay the same.
BIOGRAPHY
BORN: Pittsburgh, PA | USA
Katie Botterman received her BFA in 2021 at the School of Art + Design at Ohio University in Athens, OH. Botterman majored in Ceramics and studied with Brad Schwieger, Alex Hibbitt, and Tom Bartel. She also minored in Art History, and Spanish Language, and received a Certificate in Museum Studies. Botterman has been a ceramics instructor at North Hills Art Center in Pittsburgh, PA, since 2020.