Becoming Again

Garden of Ashes — Collection IV

The fourth collection of Garden of Ashes is titled Becoming again. It explores the quiet yet profound journey of returning to oneself—rediscovering the person hidden within and embracing the one we were always meant to become.

Like clay transformed by fire, we are shaped by the experiences we carry. What begins as something raw and undefined can become extraordinary through the alchemy of fire and ash. Reclamation is about uncovering the beauty that has always existed beneath the surface, allowing it to emerge in its own time and form.

Every moment in our lives contributes to who we become. Some qualities reveal themselves naturally, while others remain hidden, waiting to be discovered. Sometimes, finding ourselves again requires looking inward, bringing what has been buried into the light, and allowing our true nature to take shape.

I see a similar process unfolding in each wood firing. Every firing is an act of transformation, yet its outcome can never be fully anticipated. The sculptures develop their own voices, revealing colors, textures, and characteristics that have remained hidden within them. Through the unpredictable collaboration of fire and ash, each piece discovers its own identity.

For the first time in this collection, half of the sculptures remain entirely unglazed. Their surfaces are shaped solely by the natural effects of fire and ash, allowing the clay to reveal its inherent colors and character. Without the intervention of glaze, each piece becomes a record of its own transformation—a singular expression that cannot be replicated.

This collection fired in September & October 2026 in Germantown, NY.

Photo Credit: Robert Bredvad