Audrey Platt
Home
Clay and glazes
15 x 15 x 2 inches
I have always loved ceramics because of how its artistic qualities are intertwined with its usability and practicality. Of the art I have created, my favorite pieces are the ones I get to use every single day. Whether it be a cup, a bowl, or a plate, I like work that integrates itself into my life. I wanted to push this idea of ‘usable’ art in a different direction for this project, and create a piece that would both become an item that I could use day to day, and reflect the uniqueness of this current time.
For me, this intersection of functionality and my current life in quarantine comes to life in the form of a Scrabble board. Due to the global pandemic, the past months have been filled with countless hours at home. While I am spending more uninterrupted time with my family than ever before, I have spent very little time actually interacting with them, as we are all glued to our screens. Therefore, my favorite part of quarantine has quickly become the time that we spend together face-to-face. I love board games. They are a means to facilitate genuine connection and discussion, and a personalized Scrabble board would be a vehicle to inspire my family to spend more time playing games and having fun.
Aside from the global pandemic, another idea that is affecting my life in a profound way, is the end of my childhood. This year, as a senior in high school, I turned eighteen, and my college plans came into view. It marks the end of a chapter in my life, and I cannot help but spend time reminiscing about my past. With the immense changes that have come out of this past year, I often find myself wishing that I could go back and relive the days of my youth in Hong Kong. I miss the bustling and crowded cities, the lush jungle mountains, the amazing cultural experiences, and the community I left behind. I wanted to use this project as an opportunity to explore those childhood memories and nostalgia and translate them into excitement for the present. In decorating the board with patterns and motifs that represent my youth I get to relive and explore the memories and moments of my past. By covering this board with the imagery from my childhood, I can bring that sense of happiness and fondness both to myself and my family as we use it during this unprecedented time.
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