A Ceramic Artist’s Detour to Fairbanks

By Shaylise Sylvester

The Student Ceramics Art Guild (SCAG) invites visiting artists to UAF each semester. In the fall of 2022 there was a dilemma due to a last-minute cancellation. It’s difficult to find an artist willing to travel to Fairbanks, Alaska and SCAG was extremely lucky that Seth Green, a well-renowned artist, agreed on a whim to be the fall semester visiting artist.

For Seth Green, A trip to UAF in Fairbanks was quite a detour! Green was on sabbatical working at Red Lodge Clay Center, a well-known artist residency program in Red Lodge, Montana. Green was working on putting together a collection for his forthcoming exhibitions during his break as a professor at Purdue University, and during this time, he agreed to come visit Alaska.

Students rearranged the ceramics studio on November 2nd. A ceramic wheel was placed in the middle of the studio, and Seth Green set out his ceramic tools, sketchbook, and clay. He explained his throwing techniques, how he moves the clay walls up on the wheel using a “Pac Man hand,” and how there is a difference in pulling techniques when making a bowl versus a cylinder. On the ceramic wheel, Green made separate clay components that would be trimmed and put together the next day. In detail, he explained the process, his inspiration for the work, and the techniques he used for each component. At the end of the first demonstration, Green gave an artist presentation to students about his journey to becoming a ceramic artist. Being an artist was different from his original career plan; he was first a wildland firefighter. Green received his BA in Art from Southern Utah University and MFA in Ceramics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He explained how his road to success was not linear or short. Persistence, listening to his mentors, traveling, and studying made him a successful artist and educator today.

Silhouettes in architecture and symbolism inspire the ceramic art that Green makes. His influences mainly stem from Romanesque and Baroque Cathedrals and palaces, Islamic and Chez republic mosques like The City of A Thousand Spires.

Seth Green - “Bottle W/Rattling Stopper” (2019). Artaxis Gallery

On the second demonstration day, Green explained different techniques. Green explained the importance of materials in ceramics and how he achieves the unique metallic surface in his works. His ceramic artwork has an eye-catching metallic glaze that looks aged, which is achieved by using a slip containing high levels of copper and wood firing in a slow cooling reduction atmosphere. Metal-looking components are also achieved by using metal lusters. Some of the components on his pots may look metal attachments, but they are made of clay.

There is an addition of personal symbolism included in his art too. In Bottle W/Rattling Stopper, Green merges a rattle component in his vessel lids. The rattle in the lid is a personal ritual – it reminds him of the ‘why’ behind his work. The rattle has six balls, one his wife, four kids, and him. At the end of the second full-day demonstration in the studio, students, including myself, learned a lot from our visiting artist. It was wonderful to have a detailed demonstration and an inspiring artist visit.

Shaylise’s View: I am a big fan of Seth’s work! The artwork is beautiful both in purpose and visual aspects. The work combines complex structural design and delicate detailing that captures the eye. The ceramic art captures both historical beauty and the personality of the artist.

Check out Seth Green's artwork with links below:

Website: https://www.sethgreenpottery.com/

Artaxis: https://artaxis.org/artist/seth-green/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seth.green.3762
Instagram: @greenpottery

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