Past, present and future
“Each creation is a mindful expedition into the essence of the present moment. A tangible manifestation of abstract contemplation, designed to invite others into my world and enrich their lives through shared experience. My vessels are not mere objects; they are conduits of connection, inviting viewers to explore the intricate patterns of life and the natural world.”
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From the Earth
to the hand
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Tessa Richardson is a contemporary ceramic artist whose work transcends craftsmanship to explore cultural identity, human experience, and our shared origins. With Anglo-Indian heritage, she grew up in the UK, where early studies in ceramics and sculpture during high school sparked a lifelong love of clay and the three-dimensional form.
She studied at Ravensbourne College in London and Nottingham Trent University, earning a BA in Fine Arts with a specialization in Conceptual Art. During this time, her practice centered on video installations, which later led her into a career in video production after moving to the United States in 2006. After years in video production, she returned to ceramics through local wheel-throwing classes, fully immersing herself in clay and sculptural practice.
Through wheel throwing, hand-building, and experimental surface treatments, Tessa investigates texture, origins, and celestial interconnectedness, reflecting on the fragility and persistence of life.
Today, she lives and works in Tulsa, Oklahoma continuing to expand her practice through exhibitions and community engagement.
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In Tessa's hands, ceramics become a medium of transformation and discovery. She navigates the delicate balance between loss and liberation, employing techniques such as wheel throwing, hand building, and the ancient alchemy of Raku firing. Each technique is a testament to her willingness to embrace risk and find beauty in imperfection, making her process as compelling as her finished pieces.
Clay, for Tessa, is both a medium and a mentor. It guides her creative journey, its timeless wisdom echoing through each of her pieces. Her commitment to sustainability and ecological consciousness is evident in her meticulous material improvisations, which honor the ancient and contemporary traditions of pottery.
Tessa Richardson's work challenges the hierarchies of fine art, indulging in the sensual production of forms that are both functional and expressive. Her art invites viewers to delve into the captivating intricacies of interconnectedness, offering each piece as a gateway to a deeper understanding of the world around us. In every creation, Tessa debunks conventional distinctions and celebrates the harmonious dance of form, substance, and meaning.
Through her eloquent and evocative ceramics, Tessa beckons us to witness the beauty and complexity of our shared human experience. Her art is a testament to the power of transformation, a journey that touches on the profound truths of existence, inviting all who encounter it to listen, learn, and connect.