Kevin Sakaguchi Candidate Statement
In my journey through art, I have learned techniques and composition, but I have also learned how to utilize that foundation to define myself and my art. I have found the main factor that pushes inspiration from my mind into the clay is the desire and drive to be expressive. Pottery has become a representation of my life and an outward call to others to pursue expression. Art is something that should be contained in boundaries and limits but let loose to become something beautiful. This has become my struggle to overcome. I have become a more control oriented individual and pottery allows me to be sporadic. Only through this release am I able to create art that truly embodies the meaning of the piece. Beauty in my eye; is simplicity of line and color with deep contrast. I am fascinated with black and white contrast which has come primarily from finding inspiration in others artist, like Alleghany Meadows, Alisa Holen and Peter Beasecker, but has evolved to a love of contrast of matte and glossy, rough and smooth and also ideas like natural colors with strong colors, (Haynes matte white glace and the earthen color of cone ten fired Solidate.) Finally, my forms have centered on the idea of replication of forms and of sets. I view a set as a representation of a family or a community and the subtle differences that separate the family but more importantly, the strong traits that unite them. This correlates to the idea that we are all the same flesh and blood and that the only difference lies in our appearance and in our acceptance of others. Learning to repeat a form with precision is a seemingly simple task but takes more dedication and commitment than creating many solitary forms. But combining repetition with a simple glaze intrigues the audience to find out the truth behind it. That is my goal: to inspire others to push boundaries and question what beauty is and also to establish their own perspective on true beauty. From the inside out my soul cries out….

One of my favorite pieces that I have created. It is inspired primarily by Peter Beasecker and uses Hayne's Matte White Glaze and unglazed solidate clay tray. This piece won second place at the 2009 District Art Show and also won the Artistic Achievement Award at the National Clay Competition and an alternative award.