Spring ‘21: Spatial Awareness

This show is the first official solo show facilitated by Student Exhibitions, using the two most eastern walls of zone 2 of the MOEC. Nicole Ponsart is a fourth year student, ECU learning mentor and school ambassador. Her show is a survey of her most recent body of work, inspired by the deserts of the south west US.

Nicole Ponsart’s Artist Statement:

My artistic practice is rooted in the hands-on; the specific learning that happens through material exploration and repetition of form. This act of Kata produces a deep understanding of the limitations and capabilities of the material as my work ethic guides me to produce an extensive body of work. Repetition in my exploration also allows me to drive what is possible in terms of surface and form by altering the technique to fit the desired results. This past year I’ve refined my own methodology to enhance my creation process by incorporating Tim Ingold’s concept of “thinking through making”. The ongoing and improvisational process between material, maker and tool is where my body of work develops and unfolds. 

I draw my inspiration from the stunning natural landscapes of North America, most notably, British Columbia, Arizona and Texas where my family lives. The structural and geological formations found around the continent have triggered an underlying interest in geology which I’ve begun to explore and experiment with. My passion has always been in the natural world and the unique occurrences that happen naturally within it. Combining my love of form, flowing curves, geological formations and malleable material to reflect the wonders of our planet in my ceramic work. 

As an emerging artist, I’ve begun to shape my artistic identity around the natural wonders of our planet by combining geology with ceramics. Through this combination, I am able to explore through a modern approach, the timeless beauty and endless stories