Matthew Pennington

Bio

Matthew Pennington is a full-time PhD scientist from Lenexa, Kansas. He has been learning pottery from Kansas City area potters for about four years. His work has previously been exhibited at the United Colors Gallery (Kansas City, KS) and the Lenexa City Hall Art Gallery and sold at area art fairs.

Artist Statement

I strive to explore the tension between control and unpredictability. In my day job, accuracy and precision are essential, and this carries through to my studio practice through carefully trimmed, tightly formed, and orderly functional work. However, during the anagama firing, this gives way to chaos. Wood ash and flame slam into the pots, creating textures and colors that no other firing process can replicate. The lids on these pots create further contrast, sealing the calm, glazed interiors from the volatile atmosphere outside. Together, this creates a balance between intention and chance.

Exhibitions