Olivia Makes Pots
Olivia Trevino is a ceramic artist from Indianapolis, Indiana, working towards her BFA in Ceramics at Indiana University, Bloomington. She has a background in textiles, specifically making quilts from crocheting or knitting. She also has a background in baking and grew up in a bakery, which influences a lot of her process and making. She wants to see her art in homes and in public spaces. The goals after her BFA is to move out west and do a residency or internship then pursue an MFA.
Artist Statement
My name is Olivia Trevino, and I am a ceramicist studying at Indiana University pursuing my BFA in Ceramics and BA in Journalism. I explore the intersection of nature, pattern, and control through my work with porcelain. I use the practice of nerikomi, a Japanese technique that layers colored porcelain to form intricate patterns. The nerikomi block is typically cut and pieced back together to create something new. I hand build my pieces from molds thrown on the wheel, creating utilitarian objects for the home.
I pull from textile patterns and motifs from ancient Mexico. I am inspired by the vivid colors of the Badlands in South Dakota and the mountain patterns of Wyoming; I draw from the landscapes of the American West. The natural formations, where elements seamlessly integrate, guide my approach to piecing together my work. I find the most peace and solace in nature, and I work to translate that sense of connection and tranquility into my pieces.
Control plays a significant role in my life and in my art. The meticulous and slow process of nerikomi serves as a form of meditation, helping me channel and release internal tensions. Nature is viewed as wild although there are strict rules that wilderness follows. The juxtaposition between the untamed wilderness I cherish and the precise nature of nerikomi is very interesting to me.
My goal is to create work that evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity, the way that art and the mountains tends to make me feel. I am to foster community and connect through my pieces. I want life to be lived through my pieces and invite viewers to experience the harmony and warmth I find in the natural world and into their own homes.