Artist Statement

Nickie Gunning plays to process abjection. A collection of gestural forms inspired by their own body’s movement, wandering through, and exploring their environment. By mixing found and personal remnants into their ceramic practice, they build assemblages that address identity, poverty, and body image. 
Clay is thrown. Fitted with materials—hair, teeth, clothing, wood, plastic, stones, bungee cords, toy bullets, brake pads —they have accumulated these things. They assemble all the components (referencing Nickie) and have a dialog with the materials until they can hear the conversation that they need to have with themself. 
“What the fuck is this?” “Is that a dick?” “Why the fuck would someone throw this out?” “What did they say?” “Why am I drawn to this?”  “Maybe because….” The finished product is a magnificent mess of emotion and instability. They track this mess inside for the viewer to interpret freely.