Tom Phardel, Untitled. n.d., Glazed stoneware.
April 5, 2020
Tom Phardel, Untitled. n.d., Glazed stoneware.
Two bowls look to be on the cusp of merging into one, or perhaps they have just nearly split. There is an air of mystery to them, with their deep, pitch colored surface. They are elegant, yet still welcoming enough to be tangible. Oddly comforting with their soft brown interior and gentle curve, one could imagine one’s hands cupping each side of the double bowl delicately, for spiritual fulfillment rather than utilitarian purposes.
Tom Phardel’s work explores how ceramics and sculpture impact the space that they inhabit. Often, due to a longstanding fascination with religious ceremony, his work has an inclination towards the spiritual. However, it is spiritual in a more natural sense; one which explores the human relationship to nature. It encourages one to look closer at the materials used, building a sense of wonder and discovery. From there, the object might then transform one’s outlook on the space itself, bringing a new focus and calm.
Phardel received his BFA from Eastern Michigan University and later went on to graduate from the University of Michigan with his MFA. Phardel has taught and chaired the ceramics department at the College for Creative Studies since 1988.
Written by Samantha Hohmann