Vivian Purcell

My work calls attention to the importance of historical ornamentation as a way to bring about a sense of wonder to daily life. The historical brickwork of my neighborhood in Philadelphia contains an abundance of carved floral motifs. Old cellar doors in the sidewalk or eves above a hidden garden contain intricate patterns remnant of a time where beauty often went hand in hand with functionality. Society has largely shifted to aesthetics of minimalism and modernity, clashing with my love of these patterns and nature.

I carve the surfaces of my pots with historical patterns containing plants and flowers, creating a tactile surface that invites exploration through touch. The use of glazes serves as a way to unify the visual saturation of the carving beneath. The ways in which a pot is interacted with on a daily basis can change with attention to detail over time. My work is a reminder that a single object can inhabit or reframe ideas of home, comfort, and ritual.