Kris Magnuson
Like a lot of artists during the pandemic, Kristina Magnuson (b. 1986, Colorado Springs) brought some art supplies home, but didn’t quite have the energy or brain space to do anything with them. She did dabble in a bit of sewing, creating a quilt with free-flowing designs (her mother helped finesse it), and a few dresses. Mostly she and her partner worked together on a lamp design that she would later create at Lincoln Square Pottery Studio - Learning Center. The artist also expanded her collection of plants, grown from seed as well as clippings. Each window in her home was chock full of green shoots, waiting to grow large enough be housed in one of her many hand-made ceramic planters. Magnuson took little “green” breaks during her remote work day at home by looking at the plants, watering, dusting and tending to them. It was a great escape for her, especially during the colder months and when the city was mostly shut down.
Magnuson was very happy to return to the studio earlier this year. She quickly got back into creating her unusual and fun items, using her pent up creative energy to hit the ground running. On her list was a vase for her sister’s birthday, as well as some particularly odd and endearing creatures. The artist hadn’t really made anything with pinch pots before, but started molding balls of clay and adding fingers, feet and animal features. Animal and monster-like forms emerged from the clay intuitively, and tickled her fancy. The absurd little critters got her thinking about making larger pieces, possibly lamps for children’s bedrooms. She’s excited to follow this creative thread and see where it leads.
Between Magnuson’s well-known butt vases, hilarious finger pipes and new little monsters, you can tell she has a unique and absurdist sense of humor. The artist has always observed life in an unusual way, and courses in clowning at college helped her sharpen that view. Her degree from the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs, 2010) was in visual and performing arts, but the training in the Lecoq style of clowning (miming) has stuck with her. She created a character names “Waxy” and performed as her in a variety of vignettes that always ultimately lead to hilarious failure. When she puts on her clown nose, she has the ability to tap into her inner absurdist, drawing a whole other character out of her imagination. Her attraction to the Surrealist Art Movement goes hand-in-hand with her love of the odd and obtuse, and influences what she creates at the studio today.
Magnuson ended up in Chicago after a few years of acting in New York City. The artist found NYC too large and isolating, but would visit friends in the Midwest to take a break. Chicago felt more manageable, and the people more approachable. The arts and culture also attracted her, so she made the move and settled in on Berteau Avenue in the North Center part of the city. She attended one of LSPS-LC’s anniversary parties (four years ago), and signed right up. She had taken a semester’s worth of ceramics in high school, where she explored strange faces and animals. Getting back into the studio was a great way to access some of the creative energy she’d experienced during her education. While she enjoys the pottery wheel, she feels more able to control and execute exactly what she’s thinking in hand building. Magnuson remembers joking about how funny the human butt was during one of her studio classes (her classmates have a similar sense of humor). The joke took form after she made a “butt” vase, and the reaction to it was hilarity. There’s something about forming the figure (especially the butt) with her hands that is very satisfying to her. Each piece is very different from the other, and have distinct personalities. Magnuson has expanded her series, adding smaller vases with beach outfits, as well as more squat planters. A nutmeg glaze was always her go-to surface treatment because it gave the clay a warm and speckled appeal. Since the studio’s change of glaze brands, she’s had to improvise and try different hues. She’s been using the new sage glaze with some satin results, as well as the sapphire blue. Bright wonder glaze colors adorn her little monsters, and she’s used a mixture of glazes for a collection of kooky pipes. All-in-all, the change in glazes has brought out a more adventurous attitude in her.
The pandemic really slowed production for Magnuson, so she’s gearing up to expand her series soon. After filling an upcoming commission for a large set of vases, she will move back to planters. Her proximity to Gesthemane Gardens in Andersonville, as well as all the propagated plants that have come to fruition at home, almost makes it mandatory for her to create vessels to hold them. On top of being able infuse her humor into her clay pieces, Magnuson knows just how important it is to be back at the studio. She couldn’t imagine not having the space and the people there in her life. To laugh with her and bring a smile to their faces when her newest “butt” comes out hot from the kiln.
Check out her work on Etsy: Kris M Pottery