ABOUT
Bio
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Born on March 13, 1981, in Oregon, Michelle Summers was raised amidst the inspiring landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. She's currently located in Akron, Ohio, thriving as a studio artist with a focus on functional art and ceramics. Michelle holds a BFA in ceramics from Alfred University and an MFA from the University of Minnesota.
From 2014 to 2019, Michelle served as an artist-in-residence at esteemed institutions such as the Northern Clay Center, Archie Bray Foundation, and Holter Museum of Art. With a diverse teaching background, she has contributed as an educator at universities and art centers across the country. Michelle's work, featured in DPI Magazine and 'Ceramics: Contemporary Artists Working In Clay' by Kate Singleton, reflects her artistic use of pottery.
Artist Statement
My work traverses the spectrum between art and craft, where I both create and utilize pottery as a sculptural form and canvas. Central to my artistic expression and the creation of pottery is the application of illustrating abstract patterns, landscapes, and figurative characters on the vessels' forms. These illustrations serve as the soul of the expressive meaning in each piece, depicting narratives that delve into the complexities of both imagined and reality-based existence. Currently, my works are propelled by themes of searching for place, the journey of living, and cultural creation.
The small, intricate illustration and carving style initially evoke an experience of lightheartedness or mesmerizing beauty in applied craft skills, capturing the viewer's attention. Upon closer examination, a deeper understanding unfolds, revealing that the symbols and characters may carry profound narratives. Whether on paper or ceramics, the illustrations are meticulously crafted to inspire a sense of a weightless, dream-like world. This effect draws inspiration from my studies in historical Japanese and Chinese landscape painting and ceramics. The act of rotating pottery to unveil hidden details mirrors the deliberate and captivating process of unrolling Chinese Landscape Scroll paintings. The inherent quality of reveal and hide when using three-dimensional objects is a key draw in utilizing pottery as a form of paper or canvas.