Philadelphia, PA ARTIST STATEMENTEach piece begins as hand knit or crocheted fabric. The fabric is manipulated, shaped and then dipped into porcelain slip. During the firing process the original fabric burns away leaving behind a ceramic remnant or record of what was once there. The stitches, now preserved as clay, have become the structure and texture of the new object. A natural movement occurs during the firing process that can result in collapse, split seams, folding and slumping. I embrace and welcome these changes when they occur and view them as an important part of the work. Knitting and crocheting was passed down through generations of women in my family and has been an important part of my life since childhood. The act of knitting and crocheting provides me with a strong sense of nostalgia and a connection to family. I view this body of work as a metaphor for embracing change while preserving memories and traditions. BIOGRAPHYLisa Belsky is a multimedia studio artist and art educator from Philadelphia, PA. She received her BFA from Tyler School of Art and MFA from Ohio State University. She has been teaching studio art for over 15 years in a variety of academic settings including the Columbus College of Art and Design, Ohio State University, Otterbein University and several community art centers. She is currently the Assistant Director and teacher at Black Hound Clay studio in Philadelphia. She exhibits her work across the country and has been featured in several international publications.