Ciara Connolly Professional Portfolio

In the clay workshop, we explored the versatile medium of clay and its practical use in an educational setting. We learned various hand-building techniques, such as pinch pots, coiling and slabbing, and discussed the importance of health, safety, and material management. The workshop's focus was creating a basic clay toolkit that opened up a world of creative possibilities. We repurposed household items to create unique carving, smoothing and detailing tools.

As we worked on our projects, the theme of sustainability became a significant part of the workshop. I decided to create a sculpture of Medusa, which embodied the balance of life and the interlinking of energy, climate, and biodiversity. Each snake in the sculpture represented a strand of biodiversity, collectively forming a tapestry of life. Some snakes curled in harmony, representing untouched ecosystems, while others tangled, evoking images of disordered, exploited environments.

The clay's adaptability and resilience echoed the adaptability and resilience of a balanced and sustainable energy exchange. I became increasingly meticulous in sculpting each detail, acknowledging how every small element contributed to the larger whole—much like every species in an ecosystem. The final piece was a powerful symbol of the interplay of life and energy within a thriving natural system turned chaotic by human intrusion.