Trisha Kyner

Pantomime, distortion and humor are among my favorite tools. I want my figures to confront their status as sculpted objects. Some respond to objectification with stoicism, while others rebel fiercely against any easy capture or naming. I have always insisted on a good dose of expressive energy, something to double back and challenge the viewer. As for my subjects, I have always had a weakness for both martyrs and heroines. As I grow older, I find that I am also interested in depicting states of bewilderment and confusion. My figures have fought battles for me, but now they also let me accept that some struggles are long and less than clear cut. I work primarily in porcelain and red earthenware. These are fine-grained clay bodies, which are supple, gestural. Wet, they move like flesh. Dry, they can be carved and polished like stone. When fired, they are hard and unwieldy. My materials reinforce my interest in movement vs. capture, agency vs. control. I am influenced by feminist theory and art history, but ultimately I am led by tactility, gesture and movement.
< Shop More Artists < Main Shop


The Filters you have chosen do not return any results. Please modify your filter selection.

Did you Know?

50% of your purchase directly supports the artist, and 50% of your purchase supports the operations of The Clay Studio, a nonprofit that serves 35,000 people, including 2,000 underserved school children, each year.

Learn More about supporting us

Can We Help?

Feel free to contact us Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Naimah Stith, Retail Manager and Gallery Coordinator
naimah@theclaystudio.org | 215-925-3453 x115


Customer service