Meet Michelle Williams and Catherine McMillan, Artists

September 30, 2019

Q&A with Michelle & Catherine - enjoy!

Why do you do what you do?

Michelle: Because I love it. I find the process of making ceramics calming, endlessly interesting, and unbelievably fun. I also enjoy having the opportunity to make things that people bring into their homes and their lives. We live in a world with fewer and fewer handmade objects, and the connection people develop with the work is quite inspiring to me.

Catherine: I approach each project as an experiment (or series of experiments). I am curious about materials, techniques, chemistry, and of course aesthetic results and viewer response.

How do you work?

Michelle: I usually work in series, honing an idea or a form by making it many, many, many times. I started making narrow bottles with long necks in 2009. It’s still the form I make most frequently. I keep saying once I make the perfect bottle, I’ll move on.

Catherine: Prolifically, efficiently, a bit chaotic.

Moment of Inspiration - [Monir & Mehdi Ghanbeigy]

September 6, 2017

This month, our moment of inspiration is our upcoming featured artists, Monir and Mehdi Ghanbeigy, two highly acclaimed ceramics artists from Iran. SZ Gallery will be hosting their very first exhibit in the United States, titled “Persian Gardens,” starting this November.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with Monir and Mehdi in person last week at their daughter Kimia’s house, and I learned all about their creative process, their beautiful artwork, and the cultural background of their art. Their collaborative spirit, down to the smallest details of their intricately designed projects, was what I found truly inspiring.