Maggie Furtak

Bio
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Statement

I refer to myself as a potter, rather than a sculptor, because all my work, from mugs to large sculpture, is tied to the material I use. Clay has its own language and processes, and a very long history.

My sculptural pieces begin as slabs of clay, coils, or round sections thrown on the potter's wheel.  The different parts are joined to make larger forms, which I pinch into their final shape by hand, without the use of molds.  For the smallest details, I push the clay into shape using a wooden potter’s knife.

The tableware I make is all hand-thrown, and the glazes are mixed by hand from recipes I have carefully formulated to be as environmentally friendly as possible.  All tableware is food-safe, lead-free, and fine to put in the dishwasher or microwave.