WEK Projects

I am a Kingston, NY based artist. I began working with clay in high school in Madison, WI, and I’ve been at it ever since. I work as a production artist at M Quan Studio, primarily throwing pots. In my personal practice I consider many elements of life to be art making. I knit, sew, spin, cook, garden, concoct with medicinal plants, and I’m learning to weave baskets.

Coming up in the ceramics world there was much conversation around the line between art and craft. That distinction doesn’t interest me much. I aim to create objects that bring richness to our lives, be it a piece that hangs on a wall provoking emotion and reflection, or a bowl worthy of a lovingly prepared soup.

Currently the main through line connecting all of these practices is my focus on the sourcing of materials. As an object maker in a world overflowing with STUFF, I am committed to using what I’ve got, and participating in sustainable, regenerative systems to acquire what I need. Foraging, thrifting, repurposing trash and buying from local producers is the foundation of my process.

Making things with my hands is so thoroughly woven into my everyday life that I sometimes neglect the practice of documenting and sharing what I’m up to.  Here I will record my projects, big and small, with equal respect for the functional / fleeting, as for the Art / heirloom.

-Whittney Klann

Question? Thought? Interested in collaborating?