Alex Marshall Studios
Alex Marshall and Andrew Barry
"There’s something personal about our ceramics. Perhaps it's the unique variations in the glaze or the way the pieces fit perfectly in the hand. Maybe it’s the minimal asymmetrical forms, but there exists an intimate comfort that accompanies the designs, making life a little more luxurious."
For Alex, her work is not just about creating a product, but also an exploration into conceptual ideas. One of her favorite themes is the notion of one in many, repeating the same form over and over but with varying results. Alex’s touch influences every piece. From shaping to glazing to firing each step is an opportunity to create slight nuances. This makes for products that are as individual as the people using them. All of Alex’s pieces mold comfortably to the human hand, literally connecting the artist to the collector.
Alex Marshall Studios also adheres to the "Longevity is Green" school of thought. As a design company, they're encouraged by the increasing number of smart solutions to improve the planet. Not all of their designs fit into every category of ecological perfection, but there is one aspect of "green" that's true for everything they produce: longevity. When something is made to last, you don't have to buy it again, which decreases the impact on natural resources and keeps waste out of landfills. In addition, all their ceramics and glazes are made in northern California, which means less fuel consumption and production consumption.
Alex's first attempt at ceramics occurred during her freshman year at college. She quickly dropped out of college to move to New York City to live with her sister. She rented a painting studio in SoHo, got a job in retail, and tried her hand at ceramics again, this time at Parsons School of Design. Her grandmother introduced Alex to the ceramic artist, Toshiko Takaezu, who showed Alex that working with clay is making art. On Toshiko's recommendation Alex applied to the summer ceramics program at Skidmore College in upstate New York. By the following fall, Alex was enrolled as an advanced student in both ceramics and painting. She then entered the graduate program at the San Francisco Art Institute, where she completed her Master of Fine Arts degree.
For Alex, her work is not just about creating a product, but also an exploration into conceptual ideas. One of her favorite themes is the notion of one in many, repeating the same form over and over but with varying results. Alex’s touch influences every piece. From shaping to glazing to firing each step is an opportunity to create slight nuances. This makes for products that are as individual as the people using them. All of Alex’s pieces mold comfortably to the human hand, literally connecting the artist to the collector.
Alex Marshall Studios also adheres to the "Longevity is Green" school of thought. As a design company, they're encouraged by the increasing number of smart solutions to improve the planet. Not all of their designs fit into every category of ecological perfection, but there is one aspect of "green" that's true for everything they produce: longevity. When something is made to last, you don't have to buy it again, which decreases the impact on natural resources and keeps waste out of landfills. In addition, all their ceramics and glazes are made in northern California, which means less fuel consumption and production consumption.
Alex's first attempt at ceramics occurred during her freshman year at college. She quickly dropped out of college to move to New York City to live with her sister. She rented a painting studio in SoHo, got a job in retail, and tried her hand at ceramics again, this time at Parsons School of Design. Her grandmother introduced Alex to the ceramic artist, Toshiko Takaezu, who showed Alex that working with clay is making art. On Toshiko's recommendation Alex applied to the summer ceramics program at Skidmore College in upstate New York. By the following fall, Alex was enrolled as an advanced student in both ceramics and painting. She then entered the graduate program at the San Francisco Art Institute, where she completed her Master of Fine Arts degree.
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