Teri Hannigan is a ceramic artist who incorporates personal symbols like houses, birds, and bones into her sculptures to tell stories and express perceptions beyond her intellect. She builds her sculptures using clay slabs and coils, and employs techniques like carving, stamping, glazing, and raku firing to achieve texture and effects. Hannigan creates her works extemporaneously by surrendering rational control and allowing forms and colors to arise instinctively from her subconscious. Ultimately, her goal is to connect viewers to the profound narrative of life through her art.

1. T E R I H A N N I G A N
ARTIST STATEMENT
“All art is autobiographical. The pearl is the oyster’s autobiography.”
-Federico Fellini
Creating art is how I make sense of life. Incorporating personal symbols such as houses, birds and bones, my
ceramic sculpture tells stories and expresses perceptions beyond my intellect. I am inspired by the paradox of
fluidity and strength in the material, as well as in my spiritual and creative journey.
I build my sculptures using modified slabs and coils of clay. I carve and stamp the surface for texture and apply
underglazes, stains, and slips before the work is bisque-fired. Sometimes I employ an image transfer technique
using an old copier with an iron oxide toner cartridge. I glaze and fire the pieces multiple times, occasionally
using raku-firing techniques to achieve the desired effect.
My works are often created extemporaneously, the way a musician might improvise. I surrender rational control,
and free myself of preconceived ideas. This allows me to fully inhabit the creative process and be curious about
what happens next. When I allow forms and colors to instinctively arise, a channel opens for the subconscious to
express its innate intelligence.
All of my work springs from a fascination with the humor, mystery and power of a life-long adventure. My artistic
goal is to connect viewers to the profound narrative of life, so that they can rediscover their own deep, inner
knowing.
2092 TOPANGA SKYLINE, TOPANGA, CA 90290 PHONE: 310-455-0455 TERIHANNIGAN@GMAIL.COM WWW.TERIHANNIGAN.COM