David Mosbacher

Bio:

Dave Mosbacher was born in Meadville, PA, where he first began using clay as a sophomore in high school. Following high school, he attended Kent State University in Ohio where he received a BFA in ceramics. After graduating, he did an eight-month artist residency in Canton, Ohio. He then spent a year as a commercial potter. His intentions at Cub Creek are to resume his focus on wood firing and to continue to grow as an artist. Following the residency, he plans to attend graduate school and hopes to one day be a professor and working artist.

Statement:

Changes in style, type, and form of pottery occur in response to social, economic, and technical demands. As a result, pottery is closely integrated with the development of different civilizations from the earliest times to present day.

The Greeks wood fired using saggars to protect their polished glaze designs. However, while cultures change, so do aesthetic preferences. Wood kilns are once again being used today, but to achieve effects such as flame exposure, wadding marks and ash and soot build up, all faultless forms and glazes today's culture has developed a penchant for the rough, fire, scorched appearance of a piece directly exposed to flame and ash.

In my work, I merge two cultures of pottery, making reference to classical Greek culture in form, decoration and process while combining surface treatment, firing technique, and function that are more related to the ceramic culture of today.