Vase c. 20th century

Here we have a vase, made with clay by Ellen Shankin. Notice the vessel’s structure. Shankin has formed a symmetrical object that ascends from a square base to a circular mouth. A tension exists between the vase’s angles and curves. A mottled band of color diagonally bisects the belly of the vase, forming a textured, lozenge-shaped figure. The artist’s choice of colors enhances this tension; a burnt umber rises from the base, blending into shades of ochre, pale greens and cream. This palette suggests organic materials, evoking earth and vegetation. Two handles rise from the midsection, each a concave curve. These contrast with the horizontal grooves at the neck of the vase. The clay of this vase is not merely a medium but an active participant in the artistic process. The form and treatment of the clay destabilizes the tradition of the vase as a purely functional object, transforming it into a site of aesthetic and intellectual engagement.