Last Page - Deneece Harrell
Last Page - Deneece Harrell: “I am inspired by the desire to express beauty and hope through brokenness and flaws, integrated with imagery of value in healing and restoration.”
Released, 11"H x 8.5"W x 8.25"D, porcelain, gold leaf, gold composite
Deneece Harrell is a porcelain clay sculptor whose work is informed by an exploration of identity, purpose, pain, and joy. Restoration and rebirth are common motifs in her collections, which are imbued with introspection, reality, and analogy. Many of her porcelain pieces are crafted using the Kintsugi technique—the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer, and decorating with gold or silver powder (or in Harrell’s case, gold leaf and gold composite). Released, shown above, was exhibited in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with the Appalachian Regional Commission and Southern Highlands Craft Guild.
The Raleigh native spent summers in Western North Carolina as a child. Since 2020, she has made her home in Highlands, crediting the mountains and gentle vistas as additional motivation for her art. “The landscape, sky, exposed rock faces and flora, exposed tree roots wrapping rocks . . . all energize me,” she notes. She has shown her art extensively throughout the US. Closer to home, her intriguing pieces are available through Allanstand Interiors, Southern Highlands Craft Guild, and The Bascom Shop. Her portfolio is also available online. deneeceharrell.com.