Clutter

Clutter

Wagner, Lauren

My project, entitled Clutter exemplifies the theme of memory, expressing feelings of anxiety, frustration, and displacement derived from my experiences. My life and surroundings have often felt messy and cluttered, and this is reflected in the three thrown functional vessels that comprise the project. Each form is carved with holes and filled with thrown “fingers” that emerge from the interior, challenging the traditional expectations of a functional object. The tallest piece boasts a sharp, divoted surface texture that evokes a visceral feeling with bright red showing through each slice cut into the surface. These pieces play on light and negative space. With a bright background, the viewer can more easily see another element inside of the piece and invites the viewer to look at the sculpture in the round. These elements convey a sense of wrongness, clutter, or anxiety through the idea that a functional vessel is made to hold things; its value is determined by its use. However, by carving holes and filling the interior with another element, the vase can no longer perform its function. This project represents both my personal journey and artistic growth. Carving the holes and textures provided a release of frustration and helped me to process some of the same emotions that they represent. Clutter invites viewers to feel that same sense of unease.

2025