by Trudy Levy

Life is dynamic and unpredictable. I like to bring that spirit into my work. In each piece I search for an expression of dynamic harmony. Though I have enjoyed creating sculptural forms, my work has mostly been focused on vessel forms thrown on the potter’s wheel. Each piece is trimmed, carved and textured, signed and titled, bisque fired, glazed, then glaze fired. The vessels aspire to emanate a presence that draws the viewer to examine and explore the markings, the movement, and the messages contained within.

I was born in Palm Springs in 1965, and the desert continues to nourish me with its empty silence and subtle beauty. In fourth grade I fell in love with clay. My childhood in San Diego near the force of the ocean and charm of the beach brought waves and shell impressions to my work. During my undergraduate years at Berkeley, my fascination with the human condition began as I completed my coursework for a degree in Political Science. This fascination with the human experience is at the root of every piece I make. Each piece seems to enter into a dialogue with me, guiding me to new possibilities, asking age old questions. The symbol of a person that is found on much of my work came to me during a moment of meditation while I was living and traveling in Brazil. Later, I discovered that a very similar symbol is found in Native North American petroglyphs and pictographs. My connection with Brazil continues to this day as I am building a studio retreat in the mountains.