sunrise/sunset • Lizzie Helbig — New Works • May 2018

When I first held one of Lizzie Helbig’s lovely cups, a teaching of Martín Prechtel's came to my mind.  Martín wrote, “Deep in our bones resides an ancient singing couple who just won’t give up making their beautiful, wild noise.”  In Lizzie’s work I feel the essence of that human song he refers to.  She creates by gently squeezing and pinching her clay into shape--she doesn’t use a potters wheel—so the entire surface of her pottery is infused with the touch of her fingers.  It makes no practical sense to do something so time consuming as this, except that it clearly brings her joy.  To me, this feels like evidence that she has found that ancient singing couple within herself.  Whether or not I am right, Lizzie Helbig is doing her part to keep the world alive with beauty.
    She comes from a family who works with their hands.  From her father, a machinist, to a German grandmother who is fond of tole painting.  Raised in New Jersey, schooled in Vermont, Lizzie now finds herself settled in the village of Mendocino, where she is surrounded by the natural world. 
    There’s something so timeless, yet unique, about her ceramics.  Lucky for us, she loves making objects for everyday life.  Her interest and love of nature’s patterns and the inherent intelligence found in thoughtful design are reflected in everything she does. 
​    Come see, and feel, Lizzie Helbig’s ceramics.  Hold her work in your own hands. See if your fingers can hear that beautiful, wild singing.  Her show, sunrise/sunset, will be on exhibit for the month of May, 2018, at Northcoast Artists Gallery.  You can meet her at the First Friday Opening, May 4th, from 5 pm to 8 pm.

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