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
Terrapin Brushwork Demo from David Kemp on Vimeo.
Here is a short video from our production department, the Nic and Dave show! Watching Steven draw on a piece of bisque ware is amazing. How many turtles do you have to draw to make it look this easy? He doesn’t have a pencil drawing to go by – he just goes at it with his waxed brush. If you make a mistake getting the wax off can be difficult.
Regards
David Kemp
Sand Pattern World
I walk the sand flats early morning watching the sky begin its day turning the color of salmon and than opening up to a rousing chorus of luminous gold. Spread out before me is a sand pattern world. Walking on the edge of the continent I follow the furrowed patterns that stretch
for miles. I‘m blinded by the brilliant reflected light off the water. I smell the sea air, I hear the sound of breaking waves, I feel the patterned sand under my feet and absorb the warmth of the sun on my body.
I’ve always found solace in big landscapes. I am mostly here to be calm, to be uninterrupted in the flow of the tides and time. I am immediately restored by the baptism of the waters. On Cape Cod Bay, with a 9 foot tidal surge, the rise and fall of the tides sculpt the sand into furrows that fork, split, reconnect and vary in width and depth building endless variations on a theme. As an artist I ask myself “How can I use this?”
I plaster cast and bring these sand patterns back to my studio to freeze the ephemeral so I can try to understand their power. I‘ve incorporated these plaster castings of beach into asymmetrical bowls, vases, flat sided jars, winged figures, monoliths fountains and sculptures They represent an evanescent ripple of the present moment, preserved for all time. Manipulating these clay fossils I feel their presence. I find the form of the Monolith an especial revelation. It’s majesty exerts a kind of magnetic force drawing me back to the eternal rhythm of the protean ocean.
Let the SEA and SAND go about their changes, it teaches us about the impermanence of all
things.
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.
I just fixed a common problem with my honey pot. You know how it will turn into a solidified gooey ball that is difficult to use? Well, get Kemp Pottery to make you a honey pot. When it starts to crystallize I put it in the microwave at 70% power for 3-6 minutes and voilà! Just stir it up and enjoy the best liquid yummy tea additive ever! Awesome job Matt!
We just received this beautiful picture of one of Steve’s Beach Sinks installed!
Love the contrast between the organic shapes in the sink and the modern faucet.
Our awesome cousin/nephew Will has been spending the summer up with us and it’s been a real gift for us to get to know him better, work him like a dog, and add his skill set as a photographer to the shop. Here is a beautiful shot he took of dad’s Beach Torso sculpture.
Kickin’. Rad. Kickin’ Rad.
