We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mariah Greenhoff a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mariah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My most recent body of wood-fired sculptures are currently on display at Hopkins Center for the Arts. These sculptures were inspired by a wide variety of seashell shapes and patterns. Each sculpture was constructed with coils, carved by hand, and wood-fired in a Japanese Anagama kiln. Wood-firing is a time consuming and labor intensive process. It involves cutting and stacking the wood, loading the kiln, and feeding the flame during a 36 hour fire. This process is unique because it leaves wood ash deposits across the sculptures, recording the path of the flames into the glaze. Practicing wood-firing has strengthened my connection with clay and my understanding of the elements I work with. My creative process has grown since I started wood-firing and this body of work is meaningful to me because of how much physical, emotional, and creative labor I put into it.
Mariah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Mariah Greenhoff and I’m an artist based in Minnesota. I graduated from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD with a degree in Fine Art. By day, I work full-time with a local art conservation non-profit. In my free time I practice art in my home studio and I’m an active member of Tandava Ceramics, a vibrant woodfiring cohort, where I hone my craft alongside fellow artists. I’m constantly experimenting, growing, and pushing the boundaries of my studio practice, with each piece a new discovery.
My sculptures attempt to bring the raw beauty of nature to life through dynamic, coil constructions. While ceramics is my primary passion, my artistic curiosity pushes me to explore a wide range of mediums, each infused with my signature style inspired by organic patterns found in the natural world. My work is currently on display at Hopkins Center for the Arts and I will be participating in a series of in-person art-making demonstrations at the Minnesota State Fair this year. You can find and follow me online through my website or social media!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Honestly, I just really love touching clay! There’s a freedom when working with coils because of how malleable and responsive the material is. I don’t often have a plan when I start building a sculpture and each piece is a bit of an improvised experiment. I study objects in nature, like seashells or various types of woodgrains and I let those inspire me while I build. Carving the clay is another way I’m able to completely transform the sculpture and integrate patterns I’ve studied from nature. Whether I like the finished product or not, it’s great exercise and I love the material. I’ve stopped fearing making “ugly” art and learned to enjoy taking risks and pushing my creative boundaries. If the finished product turns out looking good and if it survived the firing process, that’s a bonus! I’ve tried to let go of any expectations of perfection and just enjoy touching clay.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I think your relationship with your creative practice is more important than the art you physically produce. I don’t like everything I make! Not every experiment will work out, but it’s important to do the reps. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve carved the same base over and over, but every time I build I go in a completely different direction. Exploring and exercising your creativity is the goal! The finished product is a learning opportunity each and every time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mariahgreenhoff.com
- Instagram: @mariah_greenhoff
- Youtube: @mariahgreenhoff
