Jody Folwell is known for her creative pottery shapes and designs.  This is one of her classic asymmetric rim vessels.  The jar is coil-built from native clay.  The jar is fully polished and the rim is “deconstructed”.  This means that after the jar is dried, she will rest the rim in water to the clay wear away.  The remainder of the jar is fully polished and then fired. The deconstructed rim gives the appearance of an ancient vessel with “rim wear”.  It is sealed after the firing to ensure that it doesn’t deteriorate further.  The remainder of the jar is etched with design.  There is a large dragonfly on one side, which is a symbol for prayers. The remainder has lightning, cloud, and geometric patterns.  Is a complex and fluid design across the surface of the piece. The dark brown firing is striking!  The jar and design are striking examples of her pottery style and creativity.  It is signed, “Jody”.

Brand

Folwell, Jody (b. 1942)

Jody Folwell

Jody Folwell has long been one of the essential innovators in Pueblo pottery.  She is the daughter of Rose Naranjo and the mother of potters Polly Rose Folwell and Susan Folwell.  Her pottery is displayed in museums around the country, and her work is featured in numerous books, including "The Art of Clay" and "Legacy of Generations." Her revolutionary work of the 1970s changed the surface of Santa Clara pottery with her distinctive firings, use of various clay slips, and utilization of non-traditional design elements.  Creative patina and a wide variety of subject matter in her designs follow elements of traditional Pueblo subjects and reach out to current events of the world.  Today, Jody continues to evolve in her art, and each piece brings together different aspects of her long history of making pottery.