Artwork Details
- Title
- St. Theresa
- Artist
- Date
- 1979
- Location
- Dimensions
- 9 x 14 in. (22.9 x 35.5 cm) diam.
- Credit Line
- Museum purchase
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- glazed porcelain
- Classifications
- Object Number
- 1980.99
Artwork Description
Elena Karina used a variety of techniques such as casting, carving, and impressing the clay to create porcelain sculptures that simulate the marine life found in the tide pools on California beaches. She bisque fired each piece first, which changes the clay into a ceramic material and allows for the addition of stains and underglazes without risk of damaging the object during the higher temperature glaze firing. In St. Theresa, the undulating exterior paired with the threateningly sharp interior creates the illusion of a creature emerging from its home in a bed of coral. While the origin of the title of this piece is unclear, Karina once explained how she names her sculptures: "I make the pieces first and the title comes later. Each piece has a definite character, so I try to choose a name that fits." (Elena Karina: New Porcelain Vessels & Drawings, Everson Museum of Art, 1979)