Betsy Williams

Artist's Statement:

Central to my work are the integrity and beauty of the materials, and the firing, which is done primarily with wood using age-old techniques in a kiln I built myself in 2001. The intensive wood-firing experience enhances the depth of the glaze colors as well as the color of the clay bodies.

Simplicity, stillness, and the dynamic between pieces are important elements in my designs. My work, whether functional or sculptural, is meant to heighten our awareness during everyday moments, - moments that while repeated over and over throughout one¢s lifetime, are nonetheless never duplicated.

The Past

I was born and raised in rural Georgia, graduated from St. John's College - the Great Books school - in Santa Fe, went on to study the Russian language intensively for 3 years, and then worked as a money market trader for 5 years at a small regional Japanese bank in New York City.

My experience in clay is unusual. My co-workers at the bank introduced me to the world of Japanese ceramics, and from day one my training has been in Japanese methods, beginning with my experience at a small Japanese pottery studio in Manhattan in 1992 and culminating in the completion of a 4½ year apprenticeship in Karatsu, Japan in 1999 and my return to the US. I work in the Karatsu tradition, which for centuries has emphasized wheel-throwing techniques through repetition to create a paradoxically spontaneous and relaxed style.

The Present, The Future

In my work, there is another strong force - the desire to take risks. When I began my apprenticeship, one of the first things my teacher, Mr. Yutaka Ohashi, said was, "Please surpass me." What can I bring to the centuries of traditional skills that precede me - something spontaneous, relevant, and current? This is the question I always ask myself.

I have been a full-time artist since 2001. My partner, Mark Saxe - a stone sculptor, and I have our own gallery about 1 hour north of Santa Fe. Rift Gallery shows our own work and the work of a few other selected artists. My work is also exhibited nationally.