The Vessel: The Connection of Pottery and Earth Consciousness

The Vessel: The Connection o f Pottery and Earth Consciousness, addresses the
topic of Earth Consciousness through an exploration of the crafting and use of clay
vessels among three indigenous cultures, from parts of the Southwest United States, and
those from parts of India and Africa. Earth Consciousness is the awareness that the Earth
is a conscious living being and that one is connected to the Earth through every cycle of
one’s life. Myths of creation describing the existence of clay and pottery before the
origin of human beings are present in these cultures, some of who also believe that they
were created out of clay. Thereby, their connection to the Earth, strengthened by this
belief, is deep and it is exhibited through the use of clay vessels in ritual ceremonies and
daily activities. The potters in these cultures express their realization of clay as a gift of
the Earth, whom they conceptualize as Mother Earth, in the ceremonies they perform
prior to collecting clay, crafting the vessels, and firing them. Among contemporary ceramists, one also finds works meant to remind the viewers of their physical, spiritual,
and political connection to the Earth. In my dissertation, I explore the works of four such
ceramists, Sadashi Inuzuka, Gabrielle Koch, Joseph Lonewolf, and Denise Romecki. I
also discussed the philosophy behind my own artwork, which I have created as part of
requirement for graduation and exhibited at the university galleries.
This dissertation clarifies my concepts of Earth Consciousness bringing attention
to the urgent need for individual action in the form of personal behavioral change and
worldview towards the Earth and other living beings. My ideas are derived from various
sources including indigenous spirituality, Hinduism, and Buddhism. My hope is that the
words of this dissertation and the ceramic work I am presenting will stir in the reader and
the viewer a desire to strengthen their relationship to the Earth. It is my belief that
individual action can be a powerful tool in countering further destruction of the planet.