Exhibiting Member

Mindy Moore

Mindy Moore,

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Artist’s Statement

The elements of earth, water and fire are intrinsic when working with ceramic materials. Clay is a wonderful, luscious, malleable, strong substance. Its essence is the basis of my exploration whether sculptural or functional in nature. Clay can become so soft that it turns to liquid and yet when dry, can hold virtually any shape. Between those extremes, it can be made to look rocky, soft, smooth, hard, rough, sand‐like. Even after over 40 years of working with this material, I still marvel at those possibilities. It is all about process with these various forming and texturizing methods — stretching, pulling, pinching, poking, pounding, sculpting — that are used to create these pieces.

Fire is necessary to bring the clay piece to its fruition. Being up close and personal to the fire, as with raku firing, removing hot pieces from the kiln to further process the glaze is a very elemental experience.  Without fire, clay would be porous and could disintegrate back into the earth from where it came. With fire, clay becomes permanent and hard like a rock. The method and temperature of the fire, the glazes used and nature of their application all contribute to the outcome.

Educated at Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (BFA, Ceramics) in Syracuse, New York, then continuing to study in New York City, Mindy has been directly influenced by Henry Gernhardt, David MacDonald, James Makins, Betty Woodman and Byron Temple, who guided her journey.  Mindy relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia with her husband/photographer Marvin Moore in 1987, where she has maintained a home studio. She was instrumental in establishing the art program at the Shambhala School in Halifax and for 23 years taught art to students in grades 6-12. She retired in June 2022, allowing her to return to the studio full-time.