“I am intrigued by the possibilities offered by clay, as well as the unpredictability of the material. When I start on a new piece, I rarely have a clear picture of what I want to create. I trust that the clay knows. After firing, the finished product is at first glance a surprise.”

She gains inspiration from Eastern and Greek mythology, from the animal world, from children and from nature, in creating hand-built sculptures in stoneware, which are often used as pots or bowls.

“In recent years, I have made a series of Luonnonsuojelija (“Nature Protector”) sculptures which double as flower pots. They can carry and support a small part of nature. The first piece was born from an accident in which a crack gave a new meaning to a broken sculpture. The object blurs the line between art and functionalism and highlights the inseparability of man and nature. Beauty and aesthetics are my tools. And through my work, I want to show our dependence on nature.”

Katy Hertell’s Work

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