Valerie Walchek

Working with stoneware and porcelain, I create primarily functional, but also sculptural pieces. They are finished with layers of glazes, slips, dry stains, and often embellished with gold, leather and wood (no underglazes are used).   My pieces are meant to communicate through interaction as well as sight. Functional pieces can do that in ways other works cannot. Using a wide range of experimental techniques, I push boundaries and expectations. Functional works are wheel thrown and altered or slab-built stoneware. The sculptural pieces are created primarily using porcelain clay or slips. I often use dry stains and dry glazes on the damp clay which then is stretched and shaped to create the look of aged leather or other materials.