ARTIST STATEMENT
After enjoying a trip to the mountain west, I felt small and vulnerable among the expanse of mountain ranges, cliffs, and glaciers. The rocky terrain is evidence that it moves slowly compared to the human curiosity and lifespan. I think there is something beautiful in knowing that these magnificent structures have been on earth longer than I have and will. In my work, I strive to personify these mountains' layers and sharp ridges as I identify with their trying long stories. My work grows from uncertainty; the scars each piece has are careful yet serendipitous. While I exploit the organic lines rocks and mountain ranges suggest, I also allow my hand and tool to carry on without rigid attention, trusting my hand to interpret a complicated representation. Firing with wood allows me to play within my fascination and fear. I am attracted to the rough surfaces and broken pieces that hold their trauma so intricately. What has shaped, scarred, and polished me?
ABOUT ME
Morasha Winokur (she/her) is a ceramic artist working mainly with functional pottery. She was first introduced to ceramics in 2017 where she became enamored with the wood firing process. She appreciates that wood firing fosters community, produces diverse and often unpredictable results, and allows her to work with the elements: earth, fire, and air. This firing process fueled her passion for ceramics.
Morasha’ s work is focused on understanding her relationship to Judaism, Jewish rituals and traditions, and the objects they employ. In working within these parameters, Morasha feels she can synthesize her own ideas and experiences with traditional forms while still honoring her heritage.
Originally from Roswell, GA, Morasha moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Art History, Arts Leadership & Administration, and Studio Art from Queens University of Charlotte. After graduating in 2021, she moved to Missoula, MT where she is a post-baccalaureate student in ceramics at the University of Montana
