Collection: Justin Rothshank

I'm interested in social justice and the natural environment. I create functional pottery with layered visual and narrative surfaces, reflecting the complexity of these issues. I gather inspiration from the natural environment where I live, and the world around me.

My family moved onto a 20 acre, undeveloped plot of wooded land in 2009. We built a house, and studio, using wood harvested from the land. We've chosen to raise our family here. We're devoted to the protection of this land as a natural environment. However, we're also faced with the conundrum of development versus protection. To use the land, we've cut down trees, poured concrete, and driven thru the woods. We leave remnants and footprints of our existence wherever we go.

To maintain the woods as a safe place for exploration we've had to cut down trees, put in bridges, and remove vegetation. We harvest deadfall to fire my wood burning kiln. Some of my pieces are fired in my 2 chamber kiln using approximately 6 cords of wood harvested from the acres surrounding the kiln. The surfaces have been decorated by the ash and flame created within the kiln firing atmosphere. Other pieces are fired in a variety of other fuel efficient kilns on my property utilizing consumable energy that impacts my natural environment in significant other ways.

I also make pottery depicting political leaders from our collective history, and floral imagery including the poppy flower, that represent remembrance and honor for those who have served, my opposition to war, and my interest in working towards positive social change through relationship building.

The issues I address, through imagery, form, and surface impact us all, regardless of our individual political persuasions. In making this work, I've reflected on the beauty, inspiration and energy that the environment provides to me...the wildlife, changing seasons, flora and fauna, fuel and resource. Yet I recognize that we've changed the natural environment significantly since our arrival on this land. I make this work as a reminder of the responsibility I carry in preserving the natural environment, educating those around me, and understanding the history that impacts the present and the future.