Artist Statement

Over All

My name is Carleigh Reiffer, and as a Marine Corps child who moved eleven times over sixteen years, I have often grappled with issues of belonging. While frequent relocation made it challenging to cultivate lasting friendships, the woods provided a constant source of solace and connection. Outdoor experiences: climbing trees, creating mud pies, and constructing forts, shaped my identity more profoundly than any physical residence. Questions about connection, community, and environment, are the backbone of my artistic practice.

The natural world serves as a nurturing space for me, prompting me to ponder what it means to feel embraced. I explore the parallels between nature and humanity, contemplating the significance of being human in this world. Why do we feel compelled to separate ourselves from nature and exert control over it? By immersing ourselves in nature, what insights can we gain about ourselves? The planet is our shared space, and different environments elicit distinct emotions within us.

My materials include stoneware clay, porcelain clay, washes, glazes, and various “tools” used to create texture. Examples of these range from needle tools to found materials from the woods, such as sticks, bark, and pinecones. However, my most important tools are my hands. I utilize hand-building techniques with additive texture. "Ruffles" are a key feature of my work as they transform into waves, mushrooms, leaves, fur, flower petals, and other natural elements depending on what form I attach them to. I have recently been experimenting with using various materials (beads, embroidery floss, moss, feathers) to add additional texture to my work. I have found success in utilizing cone six-ten electric and gas firings but aesthetically and conceptually I am drawn to the sometimes-unpredictable nature of atmospheric firings.

Participation in wood firings is a vital part of my practice and heavily informs my work conceptually. There’s a visceral sense of transformation, rhythm, and community throughout the process. The process is a dance, reflecting the intricate cadence of nature and revealing the interconnectedness of all living beings.

In terms of contemporary art discourse, my work explores both social and political issues. By creating pieces that foster a connection to the planet and other living beings, I directly address the issue of disconnection and the mental health crisis that we face today; something I have struggled with myself. Another aspect of my work is the topic of deforestation, pollution, and the importance of preserving our natural environment. Instead of struggling against nature, we should aim to coexist with it.

Other than nature, my most prominent influence is the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasizes using materials for projects where their true nature could shine. Another point of emphasis for the arts and crafts movement is creating forms relating to nature. I use clay to capture the spirit of the item I am sculpting. One historical influence of mine is Bernard Palissy, a French potter who is most famous for platters adorned with creatures like snakes as well as grasses and other plants. Another influence of mine is Japanese hand scroll paintings which ask the viewer to follow a path around the painting, wandering, aiming to recreate the feeling of being in nature. This cohesive feeling translates into my sculptures and encourages the viewer to be present at the moment. The journey the eyes take around the sculptures allows viewers to get lost in the art while reflecting on themselves and nature. My work asks the viewer to question their own disconnection.

 Sunkoo Yuh is a contemporary ceramic artist who influences my work. He is a Korean artist who makes large-scale sculptural work composed of plants, animals, and human figures. I’m drawn to the scale of his work and his unconventional use of low-fire glazes. Kaori Kurihara is another influence of mine. She is a Japanese ceramic artist who specializes in highly detailed botanical sculptures glazed with washes and metallic oxides. I am drawn to the level of detail and subject matter of her work.