2023 Senior Exhibition Artists

Jacob Bassett

Art + Design: Integrated Studio Arts, Ceramics

About Jacob Bassett

Jacob Bassett is a ceramic artist pursuing a BFA at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and has been an avid artist since he was six years old. He has an interest in creating functional work that possesses unique textural designs. The patterns are created in the moment, being loosely based on pen and paper sketches, and involve sgraffito and carved markings. These designs have a maze-like, puzzle form and are meant to invoke the senses of sight and touch, drawing from the influence that sensory input has on those with learning disabilities. Jacob draws from his own experiences with learning disabilities to create functional work that has a sense of wonder and empathy.

Statement

I find that sensory experiences help to bridge our world together. I create work with a sense of offering, with a belief that empathy is attached to acts of service; these become integral parts of utilitarian work. I’m a functional potter who makes vessels to promote joy, both for myself and others. My objects are meant to exist in a democratic social culture, meaning that the work is for a large population of people who are meant to use the work socially, functionally, and empathetically. The work is designed in a way that utilizes sgraffito and carvings. The designs are one of a kind, never repeated, and are never planned. They are based on designs from pen and paper sketches, none of the designs are ever planned out before creation; they are created in the moment and are completely free handed. My intention with this strong tactile component is a surface that offers an invigorating or soothing physical experience to the user, particularly people with sensory issues or learning disabilities. One goal of the work is to create a sense of joy and wonder without having it belong to only a singular group, allowing the work to be open and available to all. Jon Schmidt’s book, Practical Pottery, changed my perspective in terms of how we understand one another throughout the course of instruction, and how thinking through craft changes our relationships. Glenn Adamson also makes the point that we think through our materials, that our materials allow us to tell a story of communicate emotion, and I find that resonates with me.