Atlanta ceramist Jennifer Diaz strives to make sculptural work that echoes nature, not imitates it.
Artist: Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Diaz graduated with a BA in literature and psychology from University of California at San Diego. While she has no formal art training, Diaz has taken various art classes over the years in community settings while she worked and raised a family.
In 2014, Diaz moved to Atlanta with her husband. Four years later, she quit her job to become a full-time artist.
Company/studio: Jennifer Diaz Art. The Atlanta-based ceramic artist splits her time between her home studio, where she creates and fires her work, and her studio at Atlanta’s Echo Contemporary Art, which Diaz uses as a gallery space.
In the beginning: Growing up, there were always paints, pencils, paper in the house. And, since her mom and aunt were crafters, there were hundreds of various leftovers to use in creative projects.
In high school, Diaz took a clay class and absolutely fell in love with it but did not get back to clay for years later. At 31, she took some classes at the Dallas Art Guild, where she was living at that time.
“Clay was now my media,” said Diaz. “And has been ever since.”
Art & materials: Right now, using porcelain for her hand-built sculptural art and installations using different porcelain clay bodies and commercial glazes ($5 to $30 for individual pieces; installations, $3,000 and up).
“The variety and quality of commercial glazes allow me to focus on play and creativity without worrying if I mixed a glaze wrong,” said Diaz. “They also take up less space.”
Favorite or must-have tools: A Dolan knife tool that is the most useful knife ever. Also a needle tool.
“But my most important tool is my hands. It’s important to me to ‘see’ the human in the art I create,” said Diaz. “I don’t care for sharp corners, so shapes are curved and manipulated by hand.”
“My fingerprints are in my work always whether obvious or less so,” she added.
Health & art: In 2021, Diaz was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis and Myasthenia gravis at the same time.
“I’ve had to make changes to not just how I work, but what I make,” said Diaz. “My hands are affected by both in different ways.
“I have less time to create work now before my hands give out, so my forms now have to able to be made over multiple days or weeks,” she said.
Inspirations: Artists, including:
- Rebecca Hutchinson for her giant forms and use of clay in various states.
- Iris van Herpen for shapes and forms creating movement.
- Nicole McLaughlin for her use of gorgeous red clay and thread to make stunning cultural work.
- Juan Barroso for blending mediums to create relevant cultural and political work.
“Honestly, I get inspiration from everything: Taking a walk in my neighborhood, sitting with the Pacific Ocean when I visit family or spending time in the mountains,” said Diaz.
“Going to see other artists too. Sometimes a tiny part of another artist’s work will spark something in my head to create later,” she said.
Fun or special project: In 2021, her multi-piece, ceramic work was selected for permanent installation at Fulton County’s Central Library. “Meet Me In The Dreamland” is a large work that spans two walls. It was one of her first installs.
Recent exhibits: Her works were featured at The Pollinator Art Space, an artist co-op and pop-up art space, at the Goat Farm in West Midtown Atlanta. Also at Scott & Sons Framing + Gallery in Atlanta.
What’s next: Part of the 4th Guardian Studios Artist exhibit & Echo’s Anniversary. Aug. 1- 29.
Where to buy & connect: Artist’s studio at Echo Contemporary art either by appointment or at open studio nights which she advertises on her IG site: @jennmeanit.
