James Tisdale

Austin, TX, USA

Website: jamestisdale.com

Art Medium: figurative ceramic sculpture
Technique: Heavy grog white earthenware clay, coil built, multi-fired to 04 temperature with various slips, stains and glazes.

James-Tisdale-9561 figurative ceramic sculpture, mother and child, Pieta
Stereotypical Pieta, 23 x 20 x 13 , above

James-Tisdale-9549 figurative ceramic sculpture, St. Sebastien
Stepping & Fetching, above

James-Tisdale-7224 figurative ceramic clay sculpture, little boy in red costume
Defiant, 42 x 16 x 14, above

James-Tisdale-7088 figurative ceramic sculpture, nude woman
Discontent, 22 x 10 x 9, above

James-Tisdale-5235
Tarnished, 18" x 21" x 16", above

James-Tisdale-0284 figurative ceramic sculpture, Afro-American woman and child
Mother & Child, 26 x 19 x 11, above

James-Tisdale-0303
No Bed of Roses 19" x 13" x 24, above

James-Tisdale-8264
All Eyes Were Upon Her

Artist Statement
James' personal iconography is rich with references to the cultural, social, political and religious experiences of growing up in Mississippi. His outlook is humorous, poignant, and sometimes confrontational, as he observes the world around him. The work draws upon both the beauty and the ugliness of this region. His works explore the concepts of what society ordains as acceptable or beautiful, as well as, what it condemns as being ugly and undesirable. Having grown up in the south, he discovered that many situations, events and people are a mixture of both definitions. For him, the intrigue lies not only within the borders of these interpretations but also in how these labels can influence a lifelong attitude.

While James is influenced by all that he sees and hears, his historical art influences range widely from the figurative art works of the Renaissance, to the personally powerful folk art of the south.

James' pieces are constructed using various methods with a heavy grog white clay body. Once the form is established, the surface is then finished with several layers of underglazes, stains, and glazes. With each added layer , the work is subjected to another firing. The initial firing is to cone 1 followed by lower temperature firings to cone 04. This process of layering colorants is used to add depth and distress to the piece.

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