Trent Pehrson
A collection of terracotta jars with black handles
Explore the Exhibit Back 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 a contrasting black matte engobe applied to the handles and their geometric forms. 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 also 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 small 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.
