Dawn Dalto

"The need to work and create with my hands has been a life long driving force. As a child I learned needlework form my grandmothers. This skill later led to working with needlewoven beadwork. When introduced to clay in 2006, I merged the problem solving and attention to detail of these mediums into my work with clay. 

My ceramic work is primarily decorative rather than functional. Forms are mathematically configured with attention to their structure and use, both as individual objects and part of a larger grouping. I consider how the theme of each object will interact to form a family grouping with another.

My current work focuses on personal shrines. It is a visual exploration of my experience in living in different places and transporting my "stuff", both physical and mental, from one to the next. What do we hold dear? Why do we keep it? And who is responsible for the baggage? These are the questions that I think of as each new piece emerges."

Image credit: ceramics by Dawn Dalto; photo by Laurie Johnson