Steve Kemp, a ceramic artist for over 40 years, explores his lifelong journey from apprentice to master. His unique voice and unwavering dedication to the craft have been carefully molded over time, influenced by lessons from his late teacher, shaped by the constant struggles encountered in life and love, and inspired by the natural beauty of Cape Cod. More than an obvious metaphor, Clay is an open letter to creatives everywhere in search of their own voice. ~ Michael Cestaro
The first time I met Harry he was throwing a series of cups on the wheel and I was mesmerized by the spinning clay. Like the mass of clay I was transformed from something amorphous to someone with direction and purpose. I would become a potter! This path to pottery his been my life since and I owe it all to Harry. I wrote this article for Studio Potter Magazine in the summer/fall of 2016 as my homage to Harry Holl. It captures the magic of Scargo Pottery and is a testament to the Generosity of Spirit that this pioneer of studio pottery possessed. Please feel free to download the PDF to gain insight into this historic life. Link to Harry Hill PDF
I created this piece to pay homage to Harry Holl, my mentor, for the Retrospective at the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Honoring his Legacy, I selected the figurative theme, his favorite muse and built this monumental Vessel measures over 36″ and occupied by 10 figures. These figurative shapes are achieved on a basic conical shape through altering and expanding the soft clay. The gestating figures circumnavigate the form filling the vessel like puzzle parts to create a unified whole.