Simon Van der Ven, Lincolnville, ME; ceramics. Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.

So often, people tell me,”I just want to touch your work.” I love hearing that. I form, carve, polish, and glaze to invite physical interaction. I am intrigued by pattern and look for those that I can understand phenomenologically rather than specifically. I know I have it right, when one person says, “That reminds me of coral,” another says, “lacy stinkhorn”, and another says, “blood vessels.” I make art as a way to understand the world I live in. Simon Van der Ven

Simon Van der Ven, Lincolnville, ME; ceramics. Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.

Simon Van der Ven, Lincolnville, ME; ceramics. Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.

Simon Van der Ven, Lincolnville, ME; ceramics. Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.

Simon Van der Ven, Lincolnville, ME; ceramics. Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.