Jeannine Marchand coaxes light and shadow out of folded and smoothed clay.
Jeannine Marchand is based in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, but Puerto Rico, where she learned to make ceramics as a child, informs her current work, “sans the lively colors,” she says. Her ceramics—abstract, smooth monochromatic white clay formations—capture and reflect light. She says of her work, “I aspire to heighten awareness of everyday sensorial experiences, highlighting what incited a question or reaction.” She is featured in “Fine Folds” in the Fall 2022 issue of American Craft.
How do you describe your work or practice in 50 words or less?
My work: Simple, organic, sensual, tactile, photosensitive, fragile, soothing, challenging, monochromatic, soft, hard (in all meanings of the word), heavy, uplifting, breathtaking, complex, meticulous, elegant, sublime, ethereal, comforting, inspiring, flowing, refined, perfectly imperfect, allusive, illusive, considered, meditative.
My studio practice: Two decades ago, my ideal studio practice consisted of going into the studio and asking myself what I felt like doing and letting it lead me. After being in production/mom mode for the last decade-plus, I’m excited to revert and see what new forms emerge from the clay.
3D hand folds.
