Jeff Knighton started making pots in 1992. Before that, his artwork had always been two dimensional – using pencils, pen and ink, and various printmaking techniques. He was only a few classes away from finishing a BFA in printmaking and was required to take a 3-D course. His sister recommended ceramics. After making his first pinch-pot, he was hooked – actually obsessed. Knighton couldn’t stop thinking about making pots. He changed his major to ceramics and never looked back.
“Today I still feel an incredible level of excitement and anticipation when I sit down with a lump of clay,” explained the artist. “My best work seems to evolve on its own. My inspiration comes from many different sources – God, family and friends, my students, music, nature, dreams, my travels in the Navy.”
Knighton continued,
Once while visiting a museum in New Orleans, a small tripod vessel caught my eye. Something about its form and surface gave it a powerful presence despite its 4-5″size. There were many larger, more ornate and colorful vessels in the exhibit, but I kept returning to study this pot which was made by an unknown Chinese artist over 2500 years ago. I returned to my studio and made a variation of it, and that variation hatched more ideas that I’m still exploring. It’s fascinating that an artist from a distant culture and time made such a strong connection with me. I hope that my work will inspire someone in a similar way.
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