Swimming with a Melting Crown: Paige Wright at Chefas Projects
Swimming with a Melting Crown: Paige Wright's Exploration of Transformation Through Ceramic Art
Exhibition Dates: November 1 - 30, 2024
Opening Reception: Friday, November 1, 5-8 pm
Location: Chefas Projects, Portland, Oregon
Chefas Projects is thrilled to announce Swimming with a Melting Crown, the second solo exhibition by renowned ceramicist Paige Wright. Known for her expressive sculptural faces and inventive use of glazes, Wright’s latest series explores themes of transformation, beauty, and identity. Through her intricate process, Wright captures the fleeting moment of change that exists in the heart of ceramic alchemy, offering a profound look into human expression and adornment.
In Swimming with a Melting Crown, Wright delves into the melting process of glazes as a metaphor for the fluid nature of identity. Her ceramics feature glazes that shift and transform under intense kiln heat, with powdered minerals morphing from dull solids to vibrant molten layers, becoming radiant embellishments on the surface of her sculptures. This transformation speaks to the ephemeral beauty of ceramics—a medium that celebrates experimentation, science, and play. Wright’s works are infused with a sense of individuality, as no two glazes or sculptures are identical, symbolizing the uniqueness of each human face.
Wright’s use of glaze transcends mere imitation of nature; instead, it becomes a deliberate act of human expression and adornment, reflecting her belief that decoration is as ancient as self-awareness itself. Inspired by the theatricality and bold colors of drag makeup, her work highlights and contrasts facial features with lush textures and vibrant hues. By accentuating and celebrating these details, Wright invites viewers to reflect on the complex relationship between identity, beauty, and the art of self-expression.
The opening reception will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 5-8 pm at Chefas Projects, located at 134 SE Taylor Street, Portland, Oregon. Join us to experience Swimming with a Melting Crown, an exhibition that celebrates the beauty of change, identity, and individuality through the lens of ceramic art.
About Paige Wright
Paige Wright (b. 1982) has built a career around her expressive clay portraits and innovative ceramic techniques. She holds a BFA from The University of Montana and an MFA in Ceramics from Ohio University. Wright has taught at several institutions, including Ohio University, Grand Valley State University, and Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. Currently based in Portland, she has established herself as a prominent figure in the ceramic arts, exhibiting and leading workshops nationwide.
Connect with Chefas Projects and Paige Wright
Instagram: @chefasprojects
Website: www.chefasprojects.com
