hopeless radiance

A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts in the Department of Ceramics at the Rhode Island School of Design.

By
Dawn Gwedoline Holder
Introduction: Origins of the Intimate Miniature

It started in the middle, as most things do, a center that slowly radiates outward. I began as a maker of vessels, pursuing form on the wheel, finding pleasure in the creation of useful objects. Although my work no longer focuses on functionality or the use of the wheel as a tool, my origins as potter have informed many concerns central to my work, such as the exploration of interior and exterior space (both physically and metaphorically), and especially my interest in the domestic realm and all its trappings.

As a potter, cups and mugs were among my favorite forms to fashion. Cups are the most intimate of vessels. They are cradled in the hands and caressed by the lips. One intrinsic characteristic of cups is that they can only be sipped from by one mouth at a time. My attraction to this profound sense of intimacy has drawn me to the making of miniature objects. Working on a diminutive scale allows for an intimate and solitary encounter with the viewer. Although works such as Play House are not miniature when compared with the average sculpture or human body, the space created within can be seen as a miniature in comparison to the actual square footage of the typical suburban home.

The use of miniature conveys a sense of both preciousness and empowerment. The attention to detail on small objects implies a sense of time, patience, and care. Small things are always in danger of disappearing or being lost, yet they are easy to control and manipulate. Additionally, the toy-like quality of small objects immediately transports us to youthful times of wandering, imagining, and collecting pocketfuls of precious, little things.

The realm of the miniature provides a world where the both the maker and the viewer have the gift of omniscience and omnipresence. As the scale shifts, the relationship between our bodies and the objects brings us into the realm of the gigantic. Momentarily, we allow ourselves to give in to the illusion of possessing power and control over these tiny, imaginary worlds.