Trent Pehrson
A collection of terracotta jars with black handles
Explore the Exhibit Home About This Exhibit About the Artist
This exhibit presents a small collection of hand-built terracotta jars exploring the relationship
between simple vessel forms and sculptural handles. Each jar combines a warm, earthy terracotta body
with contrasting matte black engobe applied to its handle and geometric elements. The handles
vary in shape, from broad horizontal slabs to taller, more vertical silhouettes, giving each vessel
a distinct character while maintaining a shared visual language.
The jars are intentionally functional in appearance while emphasizing their sculptural qualities.
Rounded bodies, fitted lids, and substantial handles create objects that feel both familiar and
somewhat enigmatic, suggesting containers whose practical purpose is secondary to their form.
The contrast between the unglazed terracotta and the deep, matte black surfaces further emphasizes
the relationship between organic curves and deliberately constructed geometric shapes.
Together, the pieces explore how subtle changes in proportion, silhouette, and surface treatment
can transform a basic container into an expressive object. The series treats the jar not simply
as a vessel but as a space for experimentation with shape, balance, texture, and the visual tension
between earth-toned clay and black geometric forms.
