Jason HolIey is a ceramic artist who pushes clay to its limits. From large-scale chainmaille ceramic sculptures to futuristic porcelain vessels, his pieces are unexpected, combining new and ancient technology. Holley finds solace in the studio, certainty in the pattern and reassurance in his methods. Clay is unforgiving; mistakes compound themselves and are difficult to fix. The clay must be specifically dry: too wet and it warps; too dry and it crumbles. It requires discipline and commitment. Holley often uses Raku to finish his pieces, a violent and destructive firing method that is unpredictable and notoriously difficult to control. The finished work appears strong, militaristic, permanent, and yet it is not. The illusion is brittle; for Holley these sculptures are about weakness, not strength.
Jason Holley is now based in Twillingate. His artwork has been exhibited at the Gardiner Museum, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and The Rooms. His pieces are in permanent collections, including the Gardiner Museum, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the Provincial Art Bank of Newfoundland and Labrador, and in private collections across the United States and Iceland. Holley has been awarded the Scotiabank People’s Choice Award (2012), shortlisted for the RBC People’s Choice Emerging Artist Award (2012), and grants from the NL Arts Council and the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Artist’s Statement
