Martin McDermott
[2016, MFA Ceramics]

Based in Jamaica Plain, MA

Martin McDermott’s RISD Craft Gallery

My artistic practice is rooted in the creation of abstract sculptural forms inspired by objects found in nature. I investigate the borders where contrasting formal languages converge: geometric and sensual, raw and refined, emotional and analytical. I look to the canyons, caves, and cliffs in the rocky landscape of the American West, where I grew up, as source material for much of my work. My current interests include the history of land use, development, and preservation.

I choose to work with clay because of its deep literal and metaphorical connection to land. The dynamic processes of shaping, building, drying, and firing mimic geological mechanisms, while the accumulation and subtraction of material encourages the emergence of unexpected sculptural forms. The natural, intuitive gestures of the hand in soft clay meet the geometric, analytical cuts in the surface. Additional layers of meaning are added through the use of slips and glazes.

What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?

The two most important practices in my creative process are experimental mark-making for idea generation and glaze testing. Many of my ideas for new works grow out of the process of making a current piece. It might be a mark that is make or a form I see in a developing work that sparks the idea for a new sculpture. Being present in the process and open to new discoveries is essential for me to continue my creative momentum. Glaze testing is the other area that is fundamental to my process. I create hundreds of glaze tests each year, searching for and refining my recipes for particular surface effects.

How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?

Many of the ideas and themes I’ve explored in my work over the past two years were developed in my time at RISD or grew out of seeds planted during my time in the graduate Ceramics program. The conversations I had with other students, faculty, and visiting artists were so rich and fertile that they are still bearing fruit in my creative process today.

Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.

My main source of inspiration is the junction between human construction and the natural landscape. I’m particularly interested in areas where this junction creates an uneasy tension. An example of this is the strict grid system for laying out roads which was applied most evidently in Western areas of the U.S. The areas where the grid meets the natural topography of the landscape can create feelings of serendipity, tension, and can feel absurd at times. My experience of these areas growing up in Colorado had a profound impact on how I see the landscape and on what I find interesting.

Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?

Over the past year, I’ve been working on a series of small sculptures that I can my “Ore Series.” These works take inspirations from gemstones, crystals, and geodes and use brightly colored glazes to highlight and enhance their forms. I hope to share several of these at RISD Craft this year.

To see more of Martin’s work, visit martinrmcdermott.com