Aaron Murray: August 2013

Shadow Boxer

Sometimes we fight against things we don't understand. The world is broad, and there are all sorts of forces battling for control over our attention, our values, and our time. We may think we know the enemy, but our targets are often misguided by external forces using media and propaganda to hide their own crimes. They wear masks.

Then there is the struggle within, our constant battle with emotion and truth while trying to find our place and our reason to exist. This is often overlooked though it may determine the course of our lives. It helps to have a sense of humor.

These sculptures are from my "Shadow Boxer" series that I created specifically for display at All City Coffee in Georgetown. This show will be up in October and stay up through November. In this case the work is loosely centered around the shadow box concept, which uses the interplay of positive and negative shapes to create a tableau or arrangement of objects. Within these works are boxes based upon animal behavior, introspection, social commentary, collections, landscapes, and mythological creatures.

Shadow Boxer, white earthenware with red ellensburg slip(bricks), red iron oxide, commercial red & black underglazes, clear gloss glaze, and alligator raku glaze

Shadow Boxer Detail This sculpture is playful but has deeper meaning. Sometimes it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what we are against. Sometimes it is a struggle within,or sometimes we are beside ourselves, thinking of those we've wronged in the past and never reconnected.

The Aviary, Vashon white clay with white transparent glaze

In the Aviary, the birds are like imagination, they are sometimes dormant or "...flying free for you to use"

Quackers, originally going to be called "Quacker Box" the box never actually materialized because not all of my ducks werein a row.

I've always enjoyed watching ducks, the way they paddle and dive, the way they waddle on shore.

the pond is glazed with celedon

The Unicorn, Vashon white clay, with glazes fired to cone 5. The unicorn stands as a symbol for defiance and freedom.

Sasquatch Cave, sometimes known as the Big Foot Nativity. Mid Range Stoneware clay, with stains and various gloss glazes.

Sasquatch Cave Detail. I like to imagine what a sasquatch cave would look like. Probably similar to a human cave dwelling.

Pottery Talk, glazed Vashon White Clay, melted sea glass in teeth, and mini pinch pots. A self portrait of sorts. I enjoy learning about early American potters.

I like to learn, think, and talk about pottery..

Detail

This is a detail of the Self Portrait-- see below. You will notice some owls in the beard.

Self Portrait, slab constructed white earthenware, with underglaze and clear gloss glaze.

There is also an owl on the forehead, representing the 3rd eye, so to speak....

Skull, white earthenware, black underglaze, rutile, and clear gloss glaze on teeth

Beaver Fever, mid range porcelain and stoneware, slab built, with various stains, under glazes, and gloss glazes fired to cone 5 at the Alki Bath House pottery studio. This box has a beaver dam on the bottom, it is about a trapper who is out in the bush, while he longs for his sweetheart.

Detail of Beaver Fever

Elephant Sideshow, red and white earthenware, low fire gloss glazes.

Elephants Detail. This sculpture is for entertainment purposes only.

Mohave Dan's Cantina , white earthenware with various glass glazes, stains, and under glazes

Mohave Dan's Cantina detail of bottles

Mohave Dan is a lizard man who has his own circus sideshow and runs a small cantina where "Tail Grabbing is Prohibited" There is also an iguana on the roof,which sadly got cut off in the photo.

Yukon Jack's Runaway Train...., Vashon White Clay, Iron Oxide Stain, Various cone 6 glazes. Fired at the Alki Beach studio. Yukon Jack is an old miner that I first created in a watercolor. Since that time I have heard his named mentioned on the TV show My Name Is Earl, and on the brand of a bottle of whiskey. There is no coincidence.

In this box there is a map that shows Yukon, Klondike, Oroville, Eureka, and Hixon.

Mask Collection Glazed white earthenware 2013

Mask Collection Detail, unfortunately this sculpture had an unexpected accident and cracked in half. I made another version.

Masks, this is the replacement piece I did. The idea is that we all wear masks. Whether it is our makeup, our theway we present ourselves to others, or even how we see ourselves. I'm not lion.

Monster Masks, Then there are the monsters, the masks we wear when we are frightened. The things we dread and fear.

Country Bridge, white earthenware with iron oxide, chrome green glaze, yellow gloss . Sometimes we want to get away so we escape to a country place.

Sheds. Better than being in the doghouse.

Cat Box white earthenware with purple and turquoise gloss glaze. Cats are calming.

Catacombs or House of Cats , white earthenware with various gloss glazes and pinch formed cats. Inspired by the Hot Catz series.

The Catacombs Detail

Owl Box 2, this one probably won't make the show....

Owl Box , white earthenware, with various stains and under glazes plus a clear gloss. Owls symbolize day into night....night into day.... dark into light...light into dark...secrets hidden...secrets revealed.