Matt Jones, Absent Without Leave, 2016, stoneware with wood-fired alkaline glaze, 29 ½ × 19 ½ × 19 ½ inches. Museum purchase, 2018.52.01 | Matt Jones, Within You Without You, 2018, stoneware with wood-fired alkaline glaze, 30 ½ × 18 ½ × 18 ½ inches. Museum purchase with funds provided by 2018 Collectors’ Circle members Jon & Ann Kemske and Brian & Gail McCarthy, 2018.45.01 | Matt Jones, Remote by Design, 2015, stoneware with wood-fired alkaline glaze, 31 1/2 × 18 × 18 inches. Museum purchase with funds provided by 2015 Collectors’ Circle members Brian & Gail McCarthy and Nat & Anne Burkhardt, 2015.33. All © Matt Jones. In celebration of Star Wars Day, Collection artist Matt Jones describes the inspiration and process behind the three pots he created with the iconic pop culture references. This video was produced by our Digital Storytelling Intern Julia Quigley:
Clearly citing the Star Wars movies trilogy, potter Matt Jones uses familiar popular culture references to express his thoughts on the politics and economy of the times we live in. Images of robots like C-3PO and R2-D2 remind one of modern-day automation, Darth Vader is a metaphor for the corruption of the democratic system, and Stormtroopers are a stand-in for each person having to question their own narrative. The style of pottery Jones creates relates to traditional 19th-century forms and glazes from the Southern Appalachia and Piedmont regions of North Carolina.
We also have some super fun Star Wars-themed items in our Museum Store. “May the 4th” be with you!
