Exhibitions

Artist: Jordan Blankenship 
Exhibition: January 6 – April 26, 2025
Closing Reception: Saturday, April 26, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Location:
R.A. Bryan Foundation, Inc. Gallery
The Crafts Center
Thompson Hall
210 Jensen Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606

Artist Statement
Pottery has a unique ability to create intimate spaces for well-being, acting as a bridge between tradition and modern life. The term corker refers to something remarkable or exceptional – it serves as both a play on words and a visual guide as I blend ceramics with cork in my practice. In my show Corker, I explore how this combination of materials can transform everyday routines, enhancing and elevating moments like preparing food, enjoying a meal, or sharing a drink through thoughtful design.

Each piece begins as a wheel-thrown form, drawing from the familiar language of function in traditional ceramics. However, the exploration goes beyond convention. Using the lathe, I finish the wheel-thrown pieces with custom-fit cork, fusing the familiar into something new and reimagined. In this show, I am also collaborating on a few pieces with metalsmith Sarah Tector, using metal to expand the dialogue between materials and push the boundaries of functional design. The final pieces invite users to pause and reconsider their relationship with everyday items.

Corker challenges the fast pace of modern life by embracing functional design that adapts to individual needs while simultaneously elevating daily habits. Through the integration of materials, I aim to create objects that do more than serve a purpose—they create moments of reflection and intention in our most domestic rituals. Each piece in this collection encourages users to reexamine their relationship with the objects that surround them, transforming routine into an act of beauty and care.