Irja Bodén
Ghent, New York
Website
irjaboden.com
atelier.boden.i
Social Media
Instagram
How would you describe your work?
My sculptures consist of stacked, scarred ceramic forms, created from vessels cut and reassembled, with richly developed glaze surfaces. Working from the language of containment and rupture, I transform familiar silhouettes into architectural structures that embody memory, fracture, and repair.
What inspires you?
It is the generosity and kindness of fellow artists and those around me which I find most inspiring. Some artists I admire include the British painter Howard Hodgkin, Pat Steir with her enchanting waterfalls, and Beatrice Wood's ceramic works. I draw inspiration from vintage cars, poetry, and the latest works of Karl Ove Knausgaard. Music plays a crucial role in the studio, helping me get into the groove. My playlist is always evolving.
Can you speak about your process?
My work begins on the wheel. After having thrown a series of clay forms, I start building, cutting, and reassembling them into new structures. While I always have a general idea of what I want to create, the final outcome is always an ambiguity, allowing the work to guide me through the process. As the forms take shape, and I focus on refining the surface. The greenware stage is always a challenge, but I push through it to reach my favorite stage, glazing. I work on several series simultaneously to keep things interesting, and the time to complete a piece can range from a week to a year.
How did you become interested in art?
I grew up in Sweden surrounded by family and many friends who were artists and makers. In school, we learned practical skills in fabric and woodworking; during my 20s I designed and made my own clothes. Moving to NYC immersed me in the arts, thanks to the numerous ceramic studios, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the countless opportunities to see and experience exceptional art.
