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        Heather Mae Erickson (Pennsylvania) (see images below) Heather Mae Erickson received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of the Arts and her Master of Fine Arts from Cranbrook Academy of Art. She was a summer resident of the Archie Bray Foundation, a world premier center for ceramics in Helena, Montana. She was also a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki, Finland. She currently teaches at several universities while exhibiting worldwide. Erickson does not distinguish between art, craft, and design in her work. She freely borrows from each, and in fact, seeks to strengthen this notion as a prime model for future industrial production in the United States. Likewise, she gladly straddles the line between form and function. “It is easy to get stuck on the idea that a cup or bowl must take on a specific shape in order to serve its purpose. I do not really think in those limiting terms anymore. I focus my energies on thinking about a container, without preconceived ideas, and I know that my container can be any shape or size that I desire.” Erickson is also excited that users may mix and match and rearrange her pieces to suit their needs. This reinforces the utility of her work, and at the same time, projects her work into the realm of performance. “Our knowledge of the objects used in the dining ritual, and their assigned functions, which is born of historical usage and innate familiarity, is limiting and lacks creativity and vision. I explore the possibility of changing the way we treat the vital ritual of dining. By designing functional tableware, I seek to direct the eye, hand and mouth to treat food differently.” Erickson does not feel the need to employ unnecessary decoration, but where she does, it is derived out of need. “Even though it may look simple, it is not easy. The clarity and finish on my pieces is intensive, time consuming and laborious.” It is exactly this creative lucidity and intense ethic that makes Erickson a truly exceptional artist. |
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