Shirley Wassenaar has become fascinated with the beauty, symbolism and simplicity of Asian designs and it is reflected in her own pottery works.
Pottery has been a useful form in the Asian culture for many centuries. The rice bowl is a very functional because rice is a staple food dish. Each Asian person has an individual bowl while other food items are presented in communal bowls or plates. The Chinese eat three billion bowls of rice every day.
With the many cultures in America, handmade rice bowls and chop sticks offers new users a delightful adventure in dining.
To complement her bowls in a complete set, Shirley creates sushi trays, sake bowls and fruit plates. In keeping within the Asian cultural traditions, her serving pieces are glazed in black and iron red.
Creating pottery for last 15 years, she is a member of the West Michigan Potter’s Guild. Activities and shows provides her joy and she has found that pottery is a lifelong learning experience. “It is rewarding when my works are purchased.”
For more information, please email Shirley at: srwassenaar@netzero.net.
Editor’s note: All or some portions are reproduced from AAPJ’s Potter’s Shed Section 2007-08 Fall/Winter print edition.