Earth Object Collection, D. Adam Phillips

"Earth Objects Collection"

The Ceramic Art of Professor D. Adam Phillips

D. Adam Phillips, the founder of Earth Objects, has been creating pottery and ceramic art since 1968 and has exhibited in galleries, art shows, and arts and crafts festivals from coast to coast. Due to his unusual artistic approach and philosophy towards this medium, Professor Phillips has generated a lot of curiosity and attention by fusing not only traditional pottery styles but trail blazing new applications in clay. His latest collection entitled 'The Space Inside' features vessels and sculptural forms that are entirely made by hand and does employ techniques such as casting, throwing (employing the potters wheel) or any other mechanical devices like extruders or slab rollers. After years of studying and using the potters wheel with traditional ceramic casting techniques, he came to the realization that clay has a more personal and expressive capacity when approached with a 'hands on' approach. He is fond of pressing clay into natural textured surfaces and creating custom made stamps of fossils, leaves and naturally carved textures. In one of his favorite techniques of 'hand building', commonly known as the 'pinch pot', he has discovered and explored the very basics of how clay functions without omitting its natural beauty.

D. Adam Phillips has been featured in several newspaper articles and has made television and radio appearances regarding his very special and distinctive approach to art in general. The artist himself has harvested natural clay, created and formulated glazes and colorants, and has constructed a verity of kilns. He has worked in Raku, porcelain, low fire/high fire ceramics and stoneware and explored different firing techniques. He is also versed in the creation of one of a kind tiles, fountains and Egyptian paste jewelry. There is also a collection traditional and popular items such as pots and vessels made on the potters wheel.

He quotes, “ There is no reason why functional everyday ceramic items should be featureless or plain. They should not have to appear manufactured or repetitive either. I believe in the application of 'form follow function' and our most basic and elemental resource, clay, should be not only usable but beautiful and interesting while retaining its purpose. If a piece has no applicable function it should exhibit a character that is rare and original. I like to build up from the basics."

About the Artist:

D. Adam began working in clay while in high school in his home town of Los Angeles and finished his education earning an MFA at Catholic University, Washington D. C. After retiring from teaching, he continues working in all mediums such as metal sculpture, painting, and photography. Still active in the Martial Arts and Tai Chi, he continues participating in his favorite pastime known as spelunking (also called caving). He also claims bragging rights to being a 'shade tree' automotive mechanic. He is fluent in guitar and is involved with all forms of music - from production to performance. He presently resides in Northern Virginia.

Exhibitions and Shows:

Virginia:

-Clifton Days

-Fairfax Fall Festival

-Market Square/Old Town Alexandria

-Wakefield Christmas and Home Décor Show

-Warrenton Spring Festival

Washington, D. C.

-American Portrait Gallery

-Art on the Mall, In conjunction with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival

-Studio Gallery

-Henry Galley