Lily Zalon
Artist Lily Zalon (b. 1994, Fairfield, CT) loves a good, cheeky tchotchke, and it shows in her work. From mugs with an erected surprises in the bottom to sexy legs Mezuzahs, the artist takes every-day housewares and adds her own saucy take.
When your eyes come across some of Zalon’s ceramic sculptures and vessels, the first impression might be of shock value. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the artist portrays body parts in a sensual and appreciative way. Zalon, who grew up with a feminist family background, attended Barnard (Columbia) College for women and graduated with a degree in philosophy in 2016. Her need for “Ra Ra” feminism was tapered because she came of age well after its second wave. Instead of pushing a loud message about recognition, she taps into a sex positive, body parts positive attitude that doesn’t apologize for her love of the male anatomy. Comfortable in her artistic expression, the artist has dotted the studio with titillating objects that keep us all doing double-takes.
Zalon moved to Chicago from New York City in 2021. The Big Apple wasn’t serving her needs, and she had family in the Midwest. Moving to the city with her sister in the midst of the pandemic didn’t phase her, and she took the opportunity to join LSPS-LC. Zalon quickly started soaking up all that instructor Meg Biddle had to offer. Within half a year, Zalon was creating high quality objects, with no background in pottery. The artist credits some college sculpture classes (welding, inflatables, metalwork and carpentry) for her intuitive ability with clay. Having a family that included an interior and set designer gave her a sharpened sense of thoughtful design and high quality standards. A childhood filled with Legos, dioramas and miniature models didn’t hurt either.
Like many of the studio’s students, Zalon walked by the space often, and joined because of its visibility. She ended up nabbing the only available spot for the beginning wheel throwing class. She stayed awake all night to be the first to sign up for a space online early in the morning. She was happy to find a friendly community as well as a new hobby, especially since her sister was very busy with a new job. Zalon liked the class, but the decorating techniques really stuck a cord with her. The artist is a self-admitted perfectionist, and can easily get lost in a project. Although she likes chatting with her fellow artists, she’s happiest concentrating and working on multiple pieces at once. She doesn’t need any musical distractions to get through a 6 hour session of creating. Replication is something she doesn’t mind, it just enhances her focus and sense of calm and focus.
Zalon’s unusual designs came about after a fruitless search for utilitarian objects with tongue-in-cheek humor. She was continuously disappointed to find a lack of them in stores and online. She decided to make the work she wished to see and own herself. Practical items like mugs, ring and candle holders were high on her list, and she tapped into her unique humor to come up with her concepts. Surprise dick mugs, cock ring holders and blow me candle stick holders formed under her hands on the pottery wheel. Hand-building in a sculptural manner also served her designs well (Hitachi Magic Wand jewelry). She hopes the work elicits a response; an authentic and joyful reaction to the concepts. The artists who have infused her aesthetics are Robert Mapplethorpe, Georgia O’Keefe (her more classical work takes form with them in mind), as well as the duo Pansy Ass Ceramics LINK
As of late, Zalon has been thinking outside the box. A ceramic matzo box to be exact. The artist loves Jewish culture, and has been getting back to her roots by making objects that remind her of it. While in college, the artist connected with the philosophy of Martin Heidegger LINK, who believed that a created object was endowed with not only the history of its maker, but was interconnected to everything else. This appreciation has become part of Zalon’s creative motivation and her drive to make something out of nothing.
Zalon has slowly been building up her online exposure and sales through her Etsy LINK and Instagram LINK. Her work is also in Chicago area stores; Space Oddities LINK and Side Show Gallery LINK. Her commissions continue to grow, as do her ideas for new items. The artist aspires towards a consistent income through her ceramic art, and can be found working fast and hard at the studio.
Zalon doesn’t create to be subversive, she genuinely wants her objects to be mundanely fun. She hopes to evoke an amusing, slutty sensibility that makes viewers appreciate human sexuality in a positive way.
