Artist statement

Thomas Nunnink

Artist Statement

My interests spawned in my solitary childhood growing up in a rural environment. When I was not working outside, my time was well received drawing continuously. Drawing fictional characters that I imagined sparked an interest in creating, and fostered a particular disposition that led me to see all my creations as characters.

My initial approach to touching clay began with centering on the wheel. Watching other students with more experience throwing enticed me to contribute more of my time practicing. That relationship brought me to the Kansas City Art Institute. My goal in coming to the school is to further my maturation as a young developing artist, and to explore the fascinating processes of the material in all its dynamic complexities.

Working for two distinguishable potters, Steven Hill, Tara Dawley, during my internship at the ceramic gallery Red Star is currently influencing my direction in the interest in the organic. My sensibility of the figure and relative shaped in conjunction with gesture is continuously redirecting my methodology and thoughts. My goal is to articulate a means of inserting the shapes of the figure and the organic into my pots in conjunction with my interest in the area of drawing to imply a narrative of theme.

My current objective is to make objects that are both visually stimulating in addition to clarifying a concept that resonates through my work.