Joanne Barrera

Joanne Barrera became interested in ceramics while living in Japan in 1978. Upon her return to the United States, she enrolled in ceramic classes at the Museum School in Boston and continued to work in the medium when she settled in Virginia.

Artists Statement:

Traveling and living abroad as a Foreign Service spouse has opened my mind and heart to a myriad of cultures that continue to have an influence on my art.

Primarily functional, my ceramic work explores the technical possibilities for decorative surface treatments using underglazes, scraffito, slip trailing and texturizing techniques. The decorative motifs are often borrowed from African, Japanese and Native American art.

Recently, I have also begun exploring the use of everyday objects, such as, screw, bolts and other items that might otherwise be discarded to produce whimsical sculptures. Recycling through art.