Sibel Alpaslan
I am Turkish, I am a ceramic artist, and I am born of clay! I have been studying and making ceramics for over 25 years, beginning with my undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Marmarra in Istanbul, Turkey; and then during 10 years of owning my own ceramics gallery in Kusadasi, Turkey, near the ancient Roman city of Ephesus.
And now, for the past 6 years, America is my “New World”. As I mix my Turkish past with many new American influences, I love the new artistic recipe that is created. I think it is part of my artistic responsibility to draw from the previous generations and – through my hands, eyes, and heart – carry that wisdom and spirit into the future.
I see many things, but my subjects select me. I especially feel a deep connection to nature. It moves through me, and I strive to express this feeling in my work. I love the organic feeling of clay, knowing that it comes from the earth. And just as nature constantly surprises and delights me, I often include small, whimsical surprises in my ceramics. After all these years, I still love to play with clay. I still love to shape the mud with love.
