IG: @sam.kielian.clay

samkielian.com

“Take off your shoes and stay awhile”

I have always been fond of spending time in nature, it's a nice contrast to my upbringing in busy New York City. My ultimate goal is to create a space where people can find that same peace that is found when connecting to the Earth. I am hoping that my thesis exhibition can allow people to find a bit of respite in the city of Portland, Maine. My work provides a reminder that nature is still around us. The pieces I created have come from the ground as clay. Since clay is a natural material I hope that as I shape my work I preserve the connection that humans share with nature. I show that clay has a natural energy to it that is just as rejuvenating as being in nature itself. Working with clay provides a quiet, reflective moment that I have always found inspiring.

Bio

My name is Sam Kielian, I am a Maine-based ceramic artist, graduating from Maine College of Art and Design. I grew up in Manhattan, New York City. Though I loved living in the city, I never felt connected to the environment and strived for something more natural. I spent every summer on a Maine Lake while growing up. The lake provided the connection to nature that I had been craving. Using clay, I was able to create a tactile relationship with the natural world I admire. My work reflects my love for the rustic aesthetic and tactile surfaces.