Cindy Gordon

Spiral wave tiles (wall or floor piece) 2021, glazed ceramic, 57in

2021 Senior Exhibition Artists

Cindy Gordon

Art + Design: Ceramics

About Cindy Gordon

Cindy was born and raised in a small coastal town in Rhode Island, where her family emigrated to from the Azorean Islands. Cindy is a first-generation college student and BFA candidate at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth concentrating in ceramics. Her work is inspired by the ocean and nature and depicts the subtle details of her surroundings that shape her as a mother and observer in profound ways. Her goal is to showcase the beauty and fragility of our planet through works that give us a sense of unity and inspired us to preserve our planet for our future generations.

Statement

Born and raised in a small town on the coast of New England, my life and surroundings inspire my work. My ancestors are from a small Azorean Island and they thrived by the grace of the ocean. This strong connection to the comfort and monumentality of the ocean is a prominent thread in my work. As a child I visited my expansive family in the Azorean Islands regularly. Our trips to these lush islands inspired my love for nature and the vastness of the ocean and forged a strong connection to my heritage that seemed familiar yet foreign. As a mother of 4 little ones, I am increasingly concerned with the fragility of our planet and its future. With our planet in a state of decline I feel compelled to preserve it for my children and our future generations. I depict the beautiful, delicate, and subtle qualities of my surroundings in hopes it will help others to feel a connection and appreciate all that nature provides us. I am inspired by the beauty and symmetry of nature and the empathetic connection we share with one another and our natural world. My ceramic sculptures evoke curiosity and invite the viewer to take a closer look. I use clay to depict animals and patterns found in nature that gives us a sense of unity and underscores our interconnection with each other. I hand-build multiple sectioned ceramic pieces that are installed in a mural or installation format. The smooth and polished feel of my ceramic work is intended to be felt and appreciated for its polished river stone quality. Minimal clean shapes and lines keep the focus on the sculpture with emphasis on balance and symmetry. My sculptures physicalize my connection to nature and family. Reference to the ocean and animals both maternal and communal is a preeminent feature in my work as I celebrate motherhood and honor my ancestors.