biography
My name is Marissa Y Alexander and I’m an artist currently living and working in Hamilton, ON. I work predominately with clay to make ceramic objects. I have an MFA from Alfred University (2019) and was a full-time Artist-In-Residence at Harbourfront Centre. I have a BA in Sociology from McMaster University and received an Advanced Diploma in Craft and Design (Ceramics) from Sheridan College.
The different streams of my work are united by coil and line. A coil generates form, form creates edge and silhouette, edge and silhouette frame surface. A gesture as simple as making a line, when performed repeatedly, builds and transforms. I feel free when using coils to establish forms - there are no restrictions, the possibility of where the lines lead to is endless. Through this process I am able to engage my intuition and as concepts (my thoughts) progress throughout the rhythm of making, I develop families of shapes. The slowness of building one coil at a time invites the potential for the process to be disrupted and flexibility to wander from original ideas. I work into the unknown creating objects not yet imagined. When I am in the studio working with tactile clay, I am able to intimately experience objects and ideas. Material and process are central to my ceramics practice and I aim to make things that engage myself and other people.