Arabachi c. 1995

Gary Moler made this understated bowl with a gritty surface from clay fired with subtle, runny glazes. You know, sometimes the most profound statements are whispered, not shouted, and this piece has something of that quality. It’s humble in scale, but up close, it has this incredible tactile presence. I can almost feel the give and take between the artist and the material, the way the clay responds to his touch, and then the unpredictable magic of the kiln. I imagine Moler, in his studio, coaxing this form into being, turning it, feeling for that balance between utility and expression. There is a kind of quiet courage in that act, a willingness to let the material speak, and to let the imperfections become part of the story. It’s a reminder of the ongoing dialogue artists have with their materials.