Teh Enduring Alchemy of ceramicist Alev Siesbye: Form, color, and a Confrontation with Time
Alev Siesbye doesn’t just make pottery; she conducts a dialog with earth and fire, coaxing forth forms that feel both ancient and utterly contemporary. Her work,increasingly celebrated in recent years,isn’t born of rigid design,but of a responsive process - a yielding to the inherent nature of clay while simultaneously imposing a distinct artistic vision. Spending time with Siesbye reveals a fascinating tension: a meticulous control over technique balanced by an acceptance of the unpredictable, a profound awareness of mortality fueling a relentless creative drive.
Siesbye’s approach is rooted in a deep respect for the material. She doesn’t begin with a preconceived shape, but allows the clay to suggest its possibilities.This is especially evident in the organic forms of her bowls, where the shape emerges in conversation with the clay itself. Interestingly, the signature disappearing base – a hallmark of her style – wasn’t a deliberate invention, but a spontaneous development, triggered by childhood memories of her grandmother’s casseroles and the rustic pottery of Anatolia.
This intuitive process extends to her glazing, arguably the most challenging aspect of her craft. developing a single color can take years, a painstaking process of layering and adjusting dozens of ingredients to achieve subtle variations. “Color is a need,” she explains, but it’s never applied arbitrarily.Each glaze is a response to the unique character of the form it adorns.Her technique, employing a spraying system with a vacuum hose, further emphasizes the element of chance. Glazes,like the clay itself,possess a will of their own,frequently enough yielding unexpected results – a pistachio green transforming into a delicate blue,for exmaple.
this inherent unpredictability is beautifully encapsulated in the Turkish word for glaze, sır, which also translates to “secret.” It speaks to the mystique of the chemical reactions at play, and the fiercely guarded nature of ceramicists’ recipes, honed thru years of dedicated experimentation. These aren’t formulas to be shared lightly; they are the culmination of countless hours, failures, and breakthroughs.
The recent surge in Siesbye’s exhibitions, while rewarding, has taken a physical toll. Tendonitis,carpal tunnel,and a trigger finger threatened her ability to continue working - a fear that cuts to the core of her being.”My greatest fear in life is not being able to work,” she admits. Her cautious return to the studio this summer,creating three large bowls as a test,has been encouraging,but she acknowledges the inevitable limitations of the aging body.
Yet, there’s a remarkable acceptance in her viewpoint. She doesn’t resist the changes that come with age, but embraces them. “I’m aging-what can I do about it? But I’m not getting old,” she states with a characteristic spark. This isn’t denial, but a refusal to be defined by limitations. It’s a spirit that’s reflected in her vibrant energy and impeccable style – springing from the couch in high-heeled boots, constantly attending to details, radiating a youthful vitality.
Though, this energy exists alongside a profound awareness of mortality. She openly contemplates the finite nature of life, confessing a fear of being undiscovered should she pass away. But even this fear is tempered with a sense of acceptance, a ”comfort to know the truth.” This duality – a passionate embrace of life coupled with a realistic confrontation with death – is a defining characteristic of Siesbye’s work and her outlook.
Spending time in Siesbye’s presence is striking. There’s a timeless quality to her, mirrored in her bowls, which simultaneously evoke ancient origins and modern sensibilities. Her home reflects this aesthetic: a carefully curated space that balances minimalist elegance with playful touches of humor – stuffed toys tucked away in drawers, a cheeky license plate reading ”BO KU 7K” (Turkish for “We’re in deep shit”) pinned to the wall.
This blend of sophistication and irreverence is captivating. She’s a commanding presence, yet perpetually on the verge of laughter, offering a glimpse into a mind that is both deeply thoughtful and delightfully unpredictable. Alev Siesbye isn’t simply a ceramicist; she’s an alchemist, transforming earth and fire into objects of enduring beauty and profound meaning, all while navigating the complexities of life, aging, and the enduring mystery of creation.
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