Ignacio Sedano

My work for the past eight years has revolved strongly around clay while simultaneously speaking on issues that have profoundly impacted the systematically oppressed communities in America. Racism, socioeconomic inequality, and misrepresentation are all issues that inspire my work. All of these issues have had a direct impact on my life, and I want my work to translate the anger and emotion that I feel towards these issues. Although ceramics is widely interpreted as an elitist art-practice, I want my work to bridge the gap between two different worlds: the hood and the elite. My work ranges from wheel thrown vases, bottles, bowls, teapots, cups, bowls, to hand-built self-portrait sculptures, object modification, and artist reinterpretation pieces. By using various glazing techniques including raku, high/low fire glazes, oxide stains, horse hair, and post-glaze torching I encapsulate a plethora of colors, finishes, and textures in my collection of work. I tend to use glazes with an organic texture with rustic finishes because they remind me of my hood: South Central LA. Similarly to the streets of South Central, these glazes are the most raw and authentic. Clay’s ability to mimic an array of organic and industrial objects has always been a point of interest to me, and I am looking to explore this feature in my future work. Art will always be a catalyst for change in our world. With our ability to create, we have the power to inspire millions of people. I want my art to be viewed by everyone, especially by people who are actively and passively perpetuating the issues I stated above. I want my art to be a voice for the hood; a voice that is loud, in your face, and impossible to ignore.