Jonah Barton

Biography:

I am a ceramic artist born in 1997 in Berkeley California. I currently live and make work at Cobb Mountain Art & Ecology. I started working with clay in a ceramics class in High School in 2013 and have continued my practice since. I graduated from Sacramento State earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Ceramics, in 2024. When I'm not making pots I like to hike, cook, snowboard, and play basketball.

Artist Statement:

Making with clay feels intrinsic to my human nature. Clay offers me space to slow down, a haven where I'm able to be still with my thoughts while keeping my hands and mind engaged, not allowing myself to dwell in one spot for too long. This balance is something that I find myself searching for in most areas of my life.

I strive to make work that is a true reflection of myself and this balance that I am ever searching for. My work is often decorated with decisive, not too preconceived markings ranging from abstract patterns and textures to repetitive patterns to representative drawings of fish and birds and plants. My forms most often allow room for some sort of decoration either by me or the firing. I enjoy the effects of atmospheric firings whether it be soda, salt, or wood.

The visual movement provided from the atmosphere helps add movement to the repetitive and simple nature of my work. This atmospheric style of firing fits nicely into the ethos of this balance that I am seeking; splitting wood to fire, wadding the pots so they don't fuse to the shelves. It's these simple repetitive tasks that make the whole process a bit more special for me.

My work is intended for daily use, hardy forms that can hold up against the test of time in a busy household. My goal is to be able to bring some beauty into the day to day of those using my pots and hopefully help them and I all feel a bit more connected.