Sarah Johnston
BIO
Sarah Johnston is a queer artist and poet currently residing in Toronto. The making process is deeply spiritual to me and influences my aesthetic and design choices. It is where I explore rough textures and visceral movements, reflecting the imperfections and chaos of life. I celebrate the making process and aim to bring contemporary aesthetics to form and decoration. My work is made with an immediate quality that is quick and lively, with an energetic movement that gives breath to each piece. I connect with the long and rich history of ceramics by using historical techniques, such as throwing on a kick wheel and firing with atmospheric wood and salt kilns. My work seeks to elevate the mundane into a world colored with love and compassion for that which we cannot change.
CAPSTONE PROJECT
SEE ME HEAR ME REMEMBER ME
This book is an exploration of two of my biggest passions, pottery and poetry. Within these pages you will find a variety of images from my four years of study at Sheridan College researching atmospheric kilns, specifically Salt and Wood fired kilns. It is through my practical and literary research which I have developed such a deep love for pottery and all its intricacies. I hope while you flip through these pages you will pay attention and listen to the story of each pot. The title of this book came from a question posed to me by a mentor. When asked what I thought my pots were trying to convey I responded “Do you see me? Do you hear me? Will you remember me?”.
FEATURED Work
Title: Wood-Fired Teapot
Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 12 in.
Year: 2023
Materials: Wood-Fired Stoneware, Glaze, Slip
Title: Wood-Fired Extruded Vase
Dimensions: 6 x 5 x 9 in.
Year: 2023
Materials: Wood-Fired Stoneware Extruded, Slip
Title: Salt-Fired Jar
Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 6.5 in.
Year: 2024
Materials: Salt-Fired Stoneware, Glaze, Wood Ash
Title: Wood-Fired Tabletop Slab Insert on Solid Ash Table
Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 24 in.
Year: 2023
Materials: Wood-Fired Stoneware Slab, Wood Ash Glaze, Solid Ash Frame