Exhibition > Featured Artists

Kent Rothman

Kent Rothman: “Stoked”

The term “Stoked” (or to stoke) relates to the process of adding fuel (usually wood) to the fire. As a Ceramic Artist, this is part of the labor intensive process of firing a wood kiln, the final step that can leave beautiful surface effects from the fire and wood ash. It is interesting that Surfers also use this term; to convey their enthusiasm or excitement. Surfers get “stoked”. A good wave, watching the Dolphins jump or just being in the water with friends can make a surfer “stoked”. This term coexists between Ceramic Artists and Surfers. There are many relations between the two.

I tell my students; to make good art, they need to be “In the Zone”, the clay zone that is. This means that they need to have no distractions and focus their 100% concentration on making good art. Surfing has its own zone, concentration levels along with intuition naturally become intense and all else is forgotten. Surfers and Clay Artists share nature and become in touch with its elements. The Elements of Art are also inter-related between Clay Artists and Surfers. Ceramic Artists use various types of “Balance” through the process of creating which leads to the gesture of the final art form. This can be asymmetrical or symmetrical. To use the potters wheel, one usually strives to find the center balance. People who have been working with clay for many years often try to find the beauty of asymmetrical balance. I tell my beginning students they have the natural ability to find this type of balance. Surfers also find this balance naturally. “Movement” is another art related term used during the physical process of creating Ceramic Art and is often conveyed as part of the finished piece. When surfing, not only are we moving, but the surface that our surfboard is on is also moving (the wave). This association also relates to the process of throwing on the potters wheel, the clay is moving along with the potters wheel. Artists often use “Line” as a simple or complex part of an overall composition of art work. Surfers also draw “Lines”, on their waves.

Ceramics is one of the most complex Art Mediums, endless possibilities with the use of Earth, “Fire and Water”. This show, Stoked is an experience of fresh Ceramic Art made by Artists who Surf. I am “Stoked” to be a part of this show and to be working with this group of Ceramic Artists.

Written on the beach with a fractured rib and a broken surfboard watching my son (Mason) surfing Salt Creek.