Mud Ball 2023 Auction and Raffle

Just Another Day in the Neighborhood: Raft by Roberto Lugo Vessel, Orange + Black Series

Roberto Lugo

Medium & Materials:
Glazed stoneware

Measurements:
dia: 10 x H: 19

Date:
2022

Description:
Roberto Lugo is a Philadelphia-based artist, activist, educator, and spoken word poet known for creating large-scale and ornately decorated ceramics that reimagine historic European and Asian objects of the medium. Lugo complicates the history of these works and the themes they represent - class, privilege, societal values - by creating prized objects that both depict prominent and ordinary figures of color and reference his own Afro-Latino heritage. The permanence of clay complements this mission, as Lugo's works become lasting monuments to the history and culture of the disenfranchised. In short, Lugo elevates POC culture, community, and history, bringing attention to critical issues of inequality and racial injustice in the art spaces and institutions in which his work is shown. In Just Another Day in the Neighborhood, one side depicts five figures in a sailboat with stylized, repetitive waves and a sky rendered with simple lines. Birds with human heads fly above. On the reverse side, a man is seated in profile, smoking, with a bag of money on his lap. Leafy vines reach toward him from the upper corners of the square. Beneath him, small silhouetted animals run. The drapery on the lower half of the figure once again serves as a reference to the Classical world but the backwards baseball cap, black t-shirt, and Nikes undercut the idea of a toga and places the figure firmly in the modern age. From the artist's Orange + Black Series, this timeless piece depicting powerful commentary on social justice issues will be an important addition to your collection.

Guardian

Linda Cordell

Medium & Materials:
Porcelain

Measurements:
19" x 11" x 8"

Description:
This fierce sculpture was inspired by a canine from the Meissen Manufactory, the oldest porcelain manufactory in Europe, and Chinese stone lions. Sitting atop a cloud pedestal, this highly stylized form showcases the beauty of white porcelain with red and gold accents. With large, watchful eyes and bared teeth, this piece is the perfect guardian to add to your ceramics collection. Cordell says of her work, "I reinterpret the figurine, enabling animals to break the chains of cuteness and noble savagery. An appreciation of the ridiculous, a love of beauty and skilled craftsmanship, and the belief that domestic objects are social propaganda all contribute to my work."

Untitled (Dog)

George Rodriguez

Medium & Materials:
Stoneware

Date:
2023

Description:
George Rodriguez creates highly ornamented, figurative ceramic sculptures, often underlined by a connection to the sociopolitical issues the artist explores. Themes of culture and identity recur throughout his sculptures, celebrating the unique attributes of diverse cultures and the similarities that unite them. Rodriguez eloquently communicates the emotions each form embodies; his figures span a wide range of forms and personalities, with echoes of African, Italian, and South American ceramic traditions. The untitled dog sculpture George is making especially for The Clay Studio Mud Ball auction - the work in progress is pictured here - is a great example of something that unites people around across cultures: the bond between humans and their canine companions. We hope this exuberant dog sculpture wins your heart and inspires you to bid and support all our great programming at The Clay Studio. George created a tile mural for our stairway, and is working on a monumental sculpture that will soon be on view outside our building. So if you bring this happy dog home, your new sculpture will have a special resonance with The Clay Studio's building!

Lisa Naples

Love Joy

Description:
Lisa Naples utilizes a variety of tools and techniques to create whimsical sculptures inspired by nature and emotion. This piece features a rabbit with its hands held up to the sky wearing a tunic in shades of green and orange - a functional keyhole sits in the center of his body atop a yellow square.

Liisa Naples

Bookends (plus package)

Description:
Elevate your bookshelf with these stunning bookends by resident artist Liisa Nelson - a delicious cluster of pale pink, blue, red, beige, and gold luster atop a light blue base.Referencing science, math, religion, anthropology, and art history, Liisa Nelson's work enacts ambiguity and mystery, pointing to the infinities within each person and each moment. Nelson describes her work as emotionally driven and led by a poetic, nuanced curiosity that is expressed through material fascination. To satisfy the bookworms in our midst, this lot includes a Director-led tour for up to 12 at The Rosenbach! There are plenty of tours to choose from, whatever piques your literary interest! See auction site for more information!

Jennifer Martin

How I Made It through Construction

Description:
The flask features a glaze that shifts from orange to sage green, like copper oxidizing. Not wanting the flask to be empty, we are including Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey, 21 Seeds Grapefruit Hibiscus Tequila, and a $500.00 deluxe bottle of Slow & Low! This variety should get you through anything too.This is a one-of-a-kind grouping.

Irianna Kanellopoulou

Ducks

Description:
Experience the splendor of nature and artistic craftsmanship with this bundle. This item included two tickets to Longwood Gardens and four artisan ceramic ducks by Irianna Kanellopoulou. Wander through the enchanting landscapes of Longwood Gardens, where botanical beauty flourishes in every corner. Complementing this natural wonder, Irianna Kanellopoulou's meticulously crafted ceramic ducks showcase her whimsy and creativity while reflecting her amazing artistry.

Nuokan Huang

Island

Description:
Nuokan Huang's still-life sculptures are truly the work of a nimble mind and nimble fingers! Three miniature landscapes in cool gray and various textures populated by the tiniest black teapots, cups, and assorted vessels you've ever seen!

Morgan Hall

Soup Tureen

Description:
A crowd favorite at The Clay Studio, this beautiful blue and orange tureen showcases Hall's signature attention to ornament. Pseudo-floral motifs on both the exterior and interior of the tureen are complemented by raised dots that add a unique textural element. Prepare your favorite soup recipe and serve up some joy as the weather cools down: to make it easier, we've paired the tureen with two delicious soup mixes from Carlino's!

Stephanie Kantor

Incense Burner

Description:
Artist statement: My work explores the paradoxical aspects of culture, both expansive and local. I'm inspired by family heirlooms, idiosyncratic collections, and the landscape of my childhood home. I disrupt these close experiences by pairing them with outside cultural traditions that intrigue me, making each and every object a hybrid. My objects manifest in sculptural ceramics that are often placed within created environments, transporting the viewer to an alternate reality. I utilize ornamentation and decoration to create a facade of culture, where my objects speak to multiplicity, diversity, and artifice.

Heather Mae Erickson

Interlocking Forms

Description:
This stunning two-piece set from Heather Mae Erikson - recently seen our galleries in the Prides Pots Exhibition - features interlocking porcelain forms that come together to create a table setting beyond your wildest dreams.

Nitza Rosario

Love Tile

Description:
Enjoy a wonderful night that blends luxury, art, and culture. Perfect for couples, friends, or even a solo adventure. Remember your Philly experience with an iconic LOVE tile by Clay Studio Artist Nitza Rosario. See more details on the auction page!

Koishiwara Large Lidded Jar

Description:
A real show-stopper, this large lidded jar features a beautiful drip glaze from the top in various shades of green from emerald to a lighter shade reminiscent of leaves just beginning to change in the fall. This masterwork is from the village of Koishiwara in Kyushu, Japan. Kyushu is the southernmost of Japan's main islands and is home to a distinctive style of ceramics known as Koishiwara ware.

Johannes Jacobus (Jan) van der Vaart

Vase

Description:
This geometric white vase is sure to elevate any room. Two openings allow for a multitude of flower-arranging possibilities!

Arina Ailincai

The Walk

Description:
Arina's sculptures are faithfully replicated, life-size clay body-casts and fragments. Clay is pressed into the plaster mold to create "the shell", a hollowed out body shape, an empty vessel, which holds the inner self, with its personal and universal history. These feet are a stunning example of her craftsmanship.

Raymond Rorke

Raku Vessels

Description:
These twin ovoid raku vessels from Raymond Rorke find flashes of green, teal, and bone-white glaze mingling with earth tones to create a captivating surface. Bio: Raymond Rorke was a talented ceramicist, teacher, and treasured member of The Clay Studio Community. Rorke's practice plumbed the rich vocabularies of clay, giving shape to new ideas and adding to the language of artifacts. As an artist and educator, Rorke was simultaneously entranced and energized by the medium of clay and its boundless poetic opportunities for transformation.

Jim Makins

Mugs and Plate

Description:
Four mugs and saucers will complete, compliment, or begin your ceramic collection! A testament to form and the simple beauty of clay, these mugs by Jim Makins are rich red-brown and saucers in semi-matte black. Please note: these pieces are unglazed and are therefore not food-safe.

Warren MacKenzie

Tall Vase

Description:
This stoneware vase is a tremendous example of Warren's work, featuring a beautiful array of neutral colors, including a mushroom gray and yellowed beige. An excellent addition to any collection.

Katherine Hackl

Set

Description:
This mug and platter set are sure to inspire joy. Hackl's attention to detail in her silhouetted forms evokes a love and respect for nature. The plate is decorated with foxtails and rice. The mug features two chickadees perched among berries.

Nicole Aquillano

Ben Franklin Bridge Vase

Description:
Here's your chance to bring home a piece of Philly! This beautiful tall vase from Nicole Aquillano features the Ben Franklin Bridge rendered in delicate blue lines. Predominantly white, the vase features a soft blue towards the rim that gracefully fades away.

Andy Shaw

Plates and Treat

Description:
These Andy Shaw celadon square plates are just begging for a crumpet, cookie, or cake slice! Not sure what to munch on? We've included some Jean Franois deluxe blueberry spread and Stonewall Kitchen mixes to inspire your culinary creations!

Karoly Szekeres

Raku Vessels

Description:
This pair of dark vases have a vibrant surface that brings to mind cracked asphalt. Flashes of blue, gunmetal, and an extremely pale blue break up the exterior. The pair comes with one large envelope vase and one small circular vase. Please note: although we love these as vases, we recommend caution filling them with water - raku vessels are not always water-tight.

Robert Sutherland

Pitcher

Mark Shapiro

Lidded Jar

Description:
This stunning square-footed jar by Mark Shapiro features a taupe glaze with geometric u-shapes in an off-black. This amazing vessel is wood-fired, salt-glazed stoneware with rounded shoulders and a lid. This piece will find a place-of-pride in any home.

Josephine Mette Larsen

Reduction Fired Cup and Bowl Set

Description:
This set from The Clay Studio Resident Artist Josephine Larsen features one tall gray cup, one round gray bowl, one tall mottled brown cup, and one v-shaped mottled brown bowl. Each piece is meticulously crafted and would serve as the perfect gift for yourself or someone you love!

Chris Simoncelli

Pitcher

Description:
A large, handled pitcher with a varied surface that is sure to please the eye. Warm, rich browns and grays are broken up by a blue glaze that ranges from royal to a dark navy. All winning bids are charged automatically at the end of the auction. Shipping is NOT included in the winning bid. Items can be packed and shipped, and the winner will pay the cost. Items can be picked up at The Clay Studio for no additional cost. Packages with Alcohol CANNOT be shipped

Julia Galloway

Four Plates

Description:
These four plates by Julia Galloway are from a larger exhibition of commemorative plates for the 358 species of Pennsylvania that are either endangered, vulnerable or of concern as determined by the US Fish & Wildlife agency and the Natural Heritage Program of Pennsylvania. This set of four features: One Spot Tiger Beetle Ghost Tiger Beetle Allegheny River Cruise Dragonfly Banded Pennant Dragonfly These plates are made from porcelain, hand built on a mold. Each drawing is lightly cut into the surface and filled with blue black slip (colored clay) and the extra rinsed away. After a first firing, a clear glaze is applied and the plater is re-fired. Then the platinum luster is painted on, finally the decal with the information is applied to the back of the pate and fired again. Luster is a very soft material and will scratch easily. The plates, if used, are recommended for dry or soft foods only, and briefly as some spicy or acid-based foods will wear off the luster.

Donated by Bobby & Rick Adams

Elegant Tall Vase

Description:
A perfect addition to your home. This beautiful vase with surface carving is elegant standing alone or with flowers.

Katherine Hackl

Stateside Vodka Set

Description:
Enjoy your favorite beverage from this beautiful Katherine Hackl tumbler. We've included a 1.75 L Bottle of Stateside Vodka to help make sure your cup is filled. Enjoy! Artist's Bio: Katherine Hackl established her ceramic studio in 1994, producing traditionally handcrafted pottery and tile. Her techniques and designs draw on the Arts and Crafts traditions of studio pottery. Her distinctive pottery is a collection of hand-thrown functional stoneware and porcelain forms decorated with a variety of freehand techniques. She has recently expanded her work to include an etched porcelain process. This is a new technique for her that blends some of the characteristics of the sgraffito carved work and her hand-painted brushwork while creating a look that is altogether different. Her work brings nature indoors with images of meadows, trees, birds, and berries, among many other themes.

Josi Flynn

A Good Day, Ruined + Jenni's Ice Cream

Description:
We know you have a sweet tooth - indulge yourself with some Jeni's ice cream! Five pints cards let you redeem for any flavor your heart desires. Enjoy your Jeni's ice cream on the go with their retro-chic insulated travel bag in blue. Josi Flynn's sculpture A Good Day, Ruined. A miniature possum has dropped a scoop of his ice cream cone - quelle horreur! Flynn works in many forms of media, but generally prefers to stay with porcelain and fibers. She is interested in creatures both real and imagined, stating that "Animals have always been important to me since everyone can relate to and have a connection with nature."

Doug Herren

Mug + Apple Drinks

Description:
This oversized Doug Herren cup is very different from his trademark style of brightly colored and industrial inspired ceramics. This piece is comfortable in the hand and its warm colors invite you to sit and relax with your drink. We have paired this oversized mug with a sampling of hard ciders.

Donated by Nancy Hays

Enjoy Your Wine

Description:
For your tasting pleasure are three bottles - red, white, and rose - from the vineyard of Gianni_Dogha. Also included in this raffle package are a ceramic wine bottle and cup that will easily find a place in your home.

Gretchen Kramp

Rise n Shine Breakfast Tiles

Description:
Celebrate the most important meal of the day with ceramics! This set includes three adorable tiles by Gretchen Kramp depicting breakfast foods (toast, fried eggs, and a grapefruit) as well as some accessories for your kitchen. Enjoy! Artist Bio: Gretchen Kramp's tile work features striking relief images on boldly glazed backgrounds. Her themes deal with everything from fairy tales, everyday items and animals to geometric designs. Gretchen Kramp received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan. After majoring in painting she apprenticed herself to a local ceramicist. In the middle of the 1990s, her tiles were represented in the ceramic collection at numerous local galleries. In Winter 1997, she started Gretchen Kramp Ceramic Tiles, a business that produces art works composed of one or more tiles, including murals (constructed of tiles of multiple sizes and shapes) and tile tables for the home.

Katherine Narrow

Ramen Joy

Description:
The star of this set is a porcelain soy sauce vessel by Kathryn Narrow. Covered in incised lines that hold the blue glaze beautifully, the openings to the vessel are a jade green. A very close second is the set of four salt-fired ramen bowls by Terry Plasket. Fiberglass chopsticks, a package of Shio Ramen, a bottle of aged Tsurubishio soy sauce, and cookbook by celebrated ramen chef Ivan Orkin complete the package.

Donated by Bobby & Rick Adams

Envelope Vase

Description:
A true statement piece, this ice-blue and gray envelope vase is long enough to accommodate the most robust blooms! The crackle in the glaze provides a dynamic visual element to the piece. We recommend dried flowers for this piece.

Nathan Willever

Cups + Rye

Description:
Enjoy your special bottle of Lock Stock & Barrel Premium Straight Rye with a friend the way it was meant to be ... in your very own Nathan Willever cups. Nathan is an artist and craftsman whose work is inspired by folk traditions from around the world and are meant to be used by the people who own them.