Gabriela Ponce Curlango, hanging by a thread, stoneware ceramics, copper wire and thread, (1) 7 x 9 x 9 cm, (2) 8.5 x 11 x 11.5cm, 2023

What began as a material exploration between clay and thread, became a tangible representation of my journey towards self-acceptance and recognizing the beauty of relying on one’s community. While sewing the intentionally broken ceramic vessels back together, it occurred to me that in spite of their obvious differences, both clay and thread are quite durable. It reminded me of the years I spent trying to transform myself into a self-sufficient person that exudes strength, in order to avoid being helpless and taken advantage of. I became someone who thought I had to face everything in life alone which came at the cost of my softer, quieter personality traits. This ongoing series is helping me confront the harmful sides of individualism and competition that are so prevalent in the U.S. workplace. It also serves as a reminder that people’s strengths can take obvious forms (like clay)--or appear in more subtle ways (like thread) each with their own virtues. As I continue learning how to be vulnerable with others, I’ll think back to the times when I felt like these shattered vessels, only to be shown how to rebuild myself, not alone but with the support of those who love me. hanging by a thread is teaching me that by valuing and relying on each other’s distinct strengths, we can accompany one another in transforming the unbearable aspects of our lives into surmountable obstacles.

Each of these stoneware ceramic vessels were formed and dried to about leather-hard dryness. At this stage I underglazed the design onto the yellow piece. Then I tore them apart using my hands and then used a circular clay hole cutter to punch holes along the edges. Next I bisque fired, glazed, and glaze fired the pieces.

To reconstruct them, I used thread-thin copper wire to hold the pieces together as I used either several strands of copper wire or cotton thread to secure the final structure. In the case of the yellow piece, I incorporated ceramic beads into the thread as I wove it back together.