Emerging artist: Erin Solberg
Age: 24
Born: in Seattle, currently living in Spokane.
College: Gonzaga University, Bachelor of Arts, 2004.
Day job: Kreilsheimer student assistant at Gonzaga University in the Art Department; restaurant staff on weekends.
Type of art: Primarily pottery, although she does some figure drawing and still-life painting.
Who has influenced your art: “First and foremost my work has been influenced by my professors at Gonzaga University – Terry Gieber, Robert Gilmore and Gina Freuen,” Solberg says. “These incredible people have inspired me and given me excellent guidance in the studio.”
Other influences include 20th century artist Pablo Picasso, post-impressionist Paul Cezanne, abstract action painter Jackson Pollack and ceramic artists Paul Soldner, Rudi Audio and Ruth Duckworth.
Talk a little about your process: “I mostly make functional pottery that ranges from small bowls and mugs to large jars,” Solberg says. “I usually high-fire my vessels in a gas or wood-fired anagama kiln.”
Because of the results she has achieved with anagama kilns, Solberg has become “fascinated” with different atmospheric high-fire techniques including wood, soda and salt firings.
Where can people see your work? “Vesuvian Vessels, Series II” opens today in the Creighton Gallery at North Star Ceramics Center, 714 E. Sprague Ave. The pottery pieces in this show are from a recent firing in a large nobrigama kiln in Oregon. An artist’s reception is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. View the work through April 30.
What’s next? “To continue learning, growing and creating.”
E-mail: esolberg@gonzaga.edu