Master of Fine Arts Thesis Defense By: Jillian McEvoy
Abstract:
Fueled by a deep curiosity and passion for discovery, I make work to reveal the hidden organisms that often go unnoticed. I'm captivated by the intricate forms of microorganisms, insects, fossils, and other creatures overlooked due to their size, environment, or place in natural history, like ammonites, which have been extinct for 66 million years. Through ceramics, I illuminate and magnify these life forms, creating immersive installations that feel domestic and personal, inviting exploration and engagement while hoping to spark a sense of wonder and curiosity in others.
Primarily using the potter’s wheel to generate the initial forms of my work, I draw from traditional ceramic processes and vessel shapes like jars, amphoras, and rhytons. These vessels act as a bridge between human and natural history, by merging these recognizable forms with the intricate structures of tiny organisms, or by allowing nature to physically interact with the work. I engage in experiments such as allowing seeds to grow on the surface of the vessels, or incorporating food sources such as vegetables, fruit, and cornmeal into my clay, to then allow creatures like earthworms or black buffalo beetles to eat away at these pots. I create tanks/terrariums with ceramic bases and lids, that become decorative devices for viewing these interactions. These experiments include aspects of nature not commonly liked by most, such as insects, decaying food, or mold. By bringing them into focus through my work, I invite viewers to discover these organisms' beauty and the hidden roles these creatures play in the world we all share.
My installations create imagined rooms belonging to a collector who, in many ways, is a reflection of myself. This collector deeply values the beauty and uniqueness of peculiar objects that merge ceramics with the natural world. The space is a testament to the collector’s obsession with these artifacts, presented through a love for precious specimens and artifact display. Using velvet-lined cabinets, Victorian whatnot shelves, apothecary jars, decorative tanks, domed glass frames, etc., I carefully arrange the
pieces to emphasize their significance, as though each one is a cherished treasure. This setting highlights the collector’s fascination, allowing viewers to experience the objects as rare and important and perhaps reconsider their perspective on these organisms.
Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition: Ignition Space, Fall River, MA