I am a maker of unconventional ceramics. I call my work “nearly functional,” a hybrid of pottery designed for everyday use and sculpture that disrupts many of the traditional expectations of functionality. I build up texture and surface drama through the exuberant application of slip and a variety of glazes to create compelling surfaces that entice touch but also repel, and engage, yet are grotesque. The pots are made on the wheel in sections but are off-center. They lean, they have movement and life; each side tells a different story.

These pots represent the uncertainty of belonging and the challenge of trying to understand where to fit in the worlds of art and craft. They are made with traditional craft materials in traditional craft forms but they are large, rough, and impossible to use. They have cracks and holes that repel function but also compel engagement.

Artist Biography

Daniel Labutes is a former professional chef turned studio potter living in Medicine Hat, Alberta where he works as the Studio Technician for the Medalta International Artist in Residence program. He graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts with a BFA in Ceramics with Distinction. His current work explores the concept of unconventional conventional objects, sculptural pottery, and exuberant surfaces. They are made with a combination of wheel-thrown and hand-building techniques.