We recently connected with Heather Ossandon and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of most meaningful projects and experiences that I have had was a residency in Air Vallauris, France. It was the summer of 2019, and I applied on a whim. A dream location with a rich history in ceramics, access to a studio and the summer sun. It was one month, in the heart of the Mediterranean living in a house with fellow ceramic artists surrounded by a local cafe, library, pottery studios and, of course, a phenomenal market.

A few months before I was scheduled to go, I started to notice a white light in my right eye. I ended up in the hospital getting an MRI. Fast forward through weeks of tests, 4 day hospital stint, a spinal tap and a lot of pain, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Although I hesitate to share this story, it truly was a turning point for me in both my art and my life. Still in shock from the news, I decided to go to France anyway.

While in residence I met some of the most incredible people, too many to name here. We ate, we cooked, we laughed and we created art together. I had a renewed, almost feverish desire to create, and a month in France to do it. My routine became: go to the market, buy food, bring it to the studio to sculpt, then make a meal with the ingredients to share. It was the ritual and routine that enabled me to start to look at, and really admire the nuance of things. The edge of a broken egg shell, the variations of a strawberry, the shimmer in the scales of a freshly caught fish – everything had a new sense of wonder and a deeper story to tell. The ensuing installation was “Sur La Table”, sculpted out of a local red Spanish terracotta and highlighted with black stain lines; a 3D drawing of my experience of the place and a poem to France. It was an 8′ long dinner party scene with snails and magpies, artichokes and eggshells, and all of the ingredients of life’s soup. This installation spearheaded the work that I continue to focus on today.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Ceramics is an innately human endeavor with a rich history and sense of place. I create ceramics that reflect my distinct background and travels. As an Air Force kid I was born in the Philippines, lived in England and grew up in New Jersey. I have since traveled through Asia, Central America, Europe, and the United States exploring and researching pottery and artisan ways. These experiences, learned techniques and methods have become an important part of my studio practice.

I started my journey in ceramics as a teenager in High School. I had a dedicated teacher who would allow us to be in the studio to practice, saying that “once I showed I would work he would share techniques”. This instilled in me the knowledge that the pursuit of Art is on a continuum, there are successes and failures but they are equally as important. I continued to pursue the Arts as an undergrad at Montclair State University. After receiving my BFA I spent 3 months at a residency in China. Returning from that experience kicked off the next 10 years of working in order to travel. I continued my studies learning from local artisans on an 8-month journey through Central America, moved to NYC for a stint, learned to woodfire in California and ended up in grad school at the University of Delaware in 2013.

All of these experiences have shaped (quite literally) my point of view in my art. My work consists of both functional pottery and sculptural still lives. Daily rituals, everyday objects, and the domestic take the spotlight of my artwork. The pieces are heavily influenced by still life paintings, literature, personal narratives and historical ceramics. For me, the story that the objects tell is a collaborative narrative, one of collective memories and cultural exchanges.

I have a home studio and garden in Baltimore, Maryland and am a Professor of Art & Gallery Director at Prince George’s Community College.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey has been a persistent and consistent yearning to shape, mold and make beautiful stories. The objects that I create, whether it’s a bowl, a video installation or a full sized ceramic lamb, all have a story to tell. They are embedded with narratives, both one of research and one of a personal nature. The mission has always been to create space for a connection, a liminal space, and a moment of stillness and reflection.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society needs Art. There’s not one way to be supportive, but to be a part of it you have to participate, by showing up. Go to a show, buy a print, yes…comment on a post, but also, send a text, check in, have a conversation, ask questions. Seek out artists, check out books, go to a Museum, take in a film, go for a walk and notice the things around you, slow down.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heosceramics.com
• Instagram: @heos.ceramics
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heosceramics/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-ossandon-940b096
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

Jason Chapman
Ananda Connolly
Heather Ossandon