Meticulously Crocheted Tiny Vessel by Jeremy Brooks Test the Limits of Clay

""A portion of my research has fixated around a unique blend of clay materials that possess qualities of elasticity rather than qualities of plasticity traditionally found in common clay recipes," he says in a statement. "To put it plainly, it behaves more like rubber than clay, and sets up very quickly once the components are measured and mixed." Brooks begins by extruding long coils in different colors, also sometimes rolling the medium into paper-thin slabs."

"Unlike greenware-clay that's hardened but has not yet been fired-the material is very pliable and stretchy. "A coil made of this clay can easily be tied into a tight knot," he says. "This method may be used to join different pieces together, or the clay can be crocheted, knitted, or woven into more dynamic forms." Many of Brooks' vessels are exuberant expressions of color, while others are more earthy and wood-fired."

Jeremy Brooks creates small, meticulously crafted porcelain vessels that resemble crocheted or knotted fiber. He develops a distinctive elastic clay blend that behaves more like rubber than traditional clay and sets up rapidly. Brooks extrudes long, colorful coils and sometimes rolls paper-thin slabs, then knots, crochets, knits, or weaves the pliable material into dynamic forms. Most works measure around three inches wide and range from exuberant color to earthy, wood-fired finishes. The finished pieces appear soft and squished like textiles while remaining porcelain. Work is on view at Duane Reed Gallery in St. Louis through December 31.

Read at Colossal