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Jenifer Thoem
Jenifer Thoem's work is driven by her need to find simplicity and inspiration in the world around her. She captures urban and environmental textures in clay—objects so common that they often go unnoticed. With the use of such objects, Thoem hopes to provoke a connection, to spark a memory, or to urge a reflection and stillness that is not easily executed in today's world.
Thoem uses high-fire stoneware and porcelain clays to create both framed and unframed wall installation pieces. Her work is hand built and kiln fired multiple times using slips, stains, and glazes on highly textured surfaces. By permanently attaching a steel wire stem to the back of each individual ceramic piece, she is able to integrate depth and shadow into the design of her work.
Thoem grew up on a farm in North Georgia, where her love of clay and desire to build things began. It was only natural that she would go on to earn a BFA in ceramics from Georgia Southern University. Her current body of work is a result of several cross-country moves, her need to glean inspiration from new environments, and her love of the simple and complex working in tandem.
Customer Reviews
I love the idea of this series - that everyday objects are imbued with meaning - b/c it couldn't be more true. My much-loved and incomparable father recently passed, and we've dedicated a shelf to him in a curio cabinet he had bought for his mother when he was in his 20s (and which he inherited after her death decades ago). Each of us picked something special for his shelf ... a music box from me, since he gifted me one every year of my childhood; a ceramic prayer book with their wedding date from Mom; a handprint from his granddaughter; and a toy train from his grandson. My husband wanted something to do with a toothbrush, since Dad - while suffering from dementia - would collect toothbrushes and all of ours went missing constantly, lol. Needless to say, this is *perfect* and never fails to make us smile.
