Maia Ridlon- Artist Statement

In seeing a simple doorstep that could be found in a multitude of places, or a pile of toys messy on the floor, anyone may be taken to childhood or to raising their own children. In seeing a fruit bowl, there is an easy Sunday morning, or a summer afternoon. Portraying images that incite a memory in people is my favorite way to create impactful pieces. At the same time, in order to create accurate specific details, pulling from my own memory has served me best. My own perspective is very much that of a girl growing up in the 2010s, in the New England area. Although this can be limiting, it is important to me for the piece to still be my own. The foods I love and the toys I played with are often staples of where I’m from, and these parts of my identity are valuable pieces of the art I create.

Carried over in the 3D pieces I’ve created, I’ve taken inspiration from the vintage jewelry my grandmother adored, and the simple understated pieces my mother wore day after day. Furthermore, functionality is often a goal in my ceramics, as it helps to create a solid vision that can be appreciated in many different settings. Specificity versus mundanity is a fine line to walk, but I believe when done correctly it can capture a unique feeling of community between an audience that is otherwise difficult to achieve.