Crystal Nykoluk

Growing up I was intrigued with building objects, so I naturally gravitated towards the 3D art practice of ceramics when in university.My work revolves around the notion of building useable sculptures. By combining spontaneous textures with useable pottery forms, I hope to imbue a sense of curiosity in the viewer or user along with the notion that useable objects are pieces of art. Tangible decoration holds my attention the more I explore how clay reacts to being torn, thrown, stretched, scraped and then re-arranged. I am instinctively drawn to creating abstract textures on the pieces I make in attempt to express the freedom I find outside in nature’s formations and patterns. Perhaps it’s also an attempt to allow myself some freedom, as constructing the forms is the more rigid part of my process.I like playing with the idea of duality in objects, which is why I make work that can be functional and ornamental.