For the first project, I researched an artist who used thrown vessels as a type of “building block” for his work. Brad Schwieger’s work stands out from other ceramicists who utilize this technique due to his ability to completely transform the object from its original appearance. Schwieger’s process includes the construction of forms on the wheel, and then the subsequent destruction (cutting, pulling, twisting, etc.) and then reassembling the pieces. Upon completing a piece, it is nearly impossible to tell that it started out as a thrown object. The aspects of a thrown object, most notably the symmetry and the roundness, are not necessarily found in the finished piece. In addition to being attracted to his process, I find that his finished pieces heavily relate to the topic we are dealing with (natural vs. synthetic). Aesthetically, his pieces make references to both nature and the man made (especially architecture).

http://www.claylink.com/schwieger2006.html
(includes Artist Statement and works from the exhibition)