Little France, <br>Madeleine	Althoff

Little France

2022

Marie-Ange Ackad

Coralville, Iowa

Ceramic

I draw my inspiration from my family tree, creating surface designs that connect to my genealogy.

My process for creating work is laborious, resulting in a rich, graphic, and detailed surface. I start by researching textiles and other art relevant to my genealogical roots. Using a white clay body in combination with black underglaze creates the desired contrast between form and surface. Using sgraffito to alter the original design making it my own. This process of research, transfer, and alteration allows me to individualize each design that I use. To accentuate the value of the work I add a gold luster to the edge and rim.

I want the viewer to see sophistication and elegance at first glance, then to see that it is a self-portrait, the intertwining of family through generation, just as the United States has resulted in the intersection of cultures, my own ancestry has come together to create who I am as a person and artist.