Mission Magic Arch
The Mission Magic Arch built in February 2020, is the culmination of many working visits to the Mission Clay Pipe factories in both Pittsburg, Kansas and Phoenix, Arizona. I have always loved industrial facilities that produce ceramic objects; be they porcelain factories that produce functional ware or sculptural objects or factories that produce bricks or tile or clay pipe. The facilities along with their products are all fascinating to me and my creative thoughts start churning away as soon as I step foot onto the factory grounds. So is the case with the Mission Clay Pipe factories that I worked in.
- 2020
They are worlds unto themselves, using clay in a most unique way and producing an amazing industrial product. I feel so fortunate to have been invited to work in these factory spaces to explore and invent new ways to use the clay pipe material sculpturally. The Mission Magic Arch emerged from exploratory work on how to reinvent the pipe column form, and still keep it recognizable. The owner of the factory, Brian Vansell was patient and encouraging and allowed me time to play with the materials. The individual pipes are thick walled and consequently very heavy. They take weeks to dry before firing, so it was necessary to create the work in stages, with 2-3 one-week work visits per year. I am so proud that this arch is permanently installed on the grounds of the Mission Clay Pipe factory in Phoenix, Arizona.