Ceramics Q & A with Calder Kamin
Calder Kamin, recycling artist known for her sculptural animals, or “critters” as she calls them, that are typically made out of trash and repurposed materials, is also a ceramist! She created a beautiful ceramic pot as an offering to Shelby at Northside, where she has been the resident artist from 2021-2022, depicting a 360 degree view inspired by the scenery she’s observed outside her apartment window.
The pot is on view at the property’s leasing office. Continue reading for a Q & A with Calder about her offering and her lesser known background as a ceramicist.
Q: How did you create the pot? Was it fired in a kiln / do you have a ceramics studio you work from?
A: I hand built the pot from slabs. It’s a locally made stoneware I really enjoy. When I moved to Fort Worth, I connected with several local potters and pottery studios seeking a kiln to fire my work. I made a few friends along the way. Garret Pendergrass has a studio off of Magnolia street. He’s been a huge support for firing my work, especially since I want to make even larger pots.
Q: When did you start working in ceramics?
A: I actually have a double bachelors in Ceramics and Art History from the Kansas City Art Institute. After undergrad, it was difficult and expensive to keep a ceramic studio and practice. Also ceramics can be heavy and fragile. I’ve always made animals out of something and it now felt arbitrary to just make them in clay.
Q: How does your work in ceramics relate to or contrast to your work with plastics & recycled materials?
A: Around that time (after undergrad), I took up birding as a hobby and noticed how the birds in my yard built their nests using the materials around them, including trash. I thought, I need to be more like a bird. More like nature. Nature never wastes! That’s why I reuse.
When everything for 2020 was canceled, it was a really hard blow. In the stillness, I still wanted to make things. This time for myself. I returned to clay. I created things I needed for my home. New plates, serving bowls and pots for my quarantine plants. I reconnected with an elementary school teacher and fired my pieces at his ceramics studio back in Austin. I am grateful for that quiet time and that my art is back out in the world again.
Q: What do you love about working with clay?
A: I used to make animals in clay but it’s a lot of responsibility to look after heavy and delicate critters. Making objects that are useful brings me a lot of joy. I’m reminded every time I water my plants or enjoy a home cooked meal. I’m making a beautiful life for myself full of art.
Q: Can you tell us about the imagery you depicted on the pot... is this a view you enjoy at Shelby?
A: Outside my apartment and studio is a beautiful view of the Trinity river and downtown Fort Worth. I was so surprised to see all of the water front trails that runs throughout the city. Anyone who lives at the Shelby will recognize the scenery. All sorts of wildlife visit the view from out my window, including two coyotes playing!
Calderkamin@gmail.com
Calder’s Instagram
Calder’s Website
