linda bobinger

Georgia sculptor Linda Bobinger uses humor and distortion in her female forms.

The artist: Bobinger taught various art-related classes, mostly in Camden County for 31 years. She has been a full-time artist for three years.

The company/studio: Linda Bobinger Sculpture is based in Brunswick. The ceramic artist has studio space in her backyard, but she prefers to build in her kitchen, where she likes the light and space. Bobinger uses the studio for applying oxides on the exteriors and for firing work.

The art & material: Sculpture with female forms and reliefs, using a south Georgia clay called Lizella ($525 to $3,000).

The clay has had a terrible reputation for bloating and not vitrifying. She mixes it with the darkest red commercial clay she can find to solve that problem.

“I love the strength and the tooth Lizella has,” said Bobinger. “It allows me to make tall pieces with limited armatures.”

The process:

For figurative sculptures, she prefers the coiled technique, pinching and puckering the coil into the shape she wants.
Her reliefs are done using slab technique. The exteriors have oxides applied and no glazes.

Why clay: “Working in clay is like raising children,” said Bobinger. “It’s so temperamental. It twists, turns and pulls as it chooses if you don’t nurse it along in the building and drying process.”

Inspiration: Being somewhat in control of her art, unlike her life, which has had many challenges, including a loss of a husband, a sick daughter and a mother going through dementia.

“Over the years, I have often made sculptures that reflect these events in my life.”

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