Slemmons Gallery

September 19, 2025 - November 22, 2025

Imperfect Players is a collection of ceramic vessels that can be performed as musical instruments and accompanied by drawings.

I worked at an auction house creating condition reports for fine and decorative art. These objects were valuable for their aesthetic, craft, and cultural histories. I often studied ceramic vases closely and under a black light to find the imperfections: cracks, chips, and many networks of hidden repair. They had their own material stories in the flaws of their production and accumulation of wear. These imperfections degraded their value, but also served as evidence of their authenticity. 

I am a similar vessel. My human body has sustained physical and psychological changes and damage, and I hold that with me as I function day to day. Especially after giving birth to my child, I was very aware of dramatic shifts to my mind and body, and I struggled to perform as I once did. Imperfect Players is a response to that corporal rift. These forms are adorned with their own broken and fused pieces, just as I hold onto memories and my material body holds scars and strain of the past. Although broken, these vessels are also instruments that can be played to make musical sounds.

Imperfect Players celebrates imperfect and broken vessels that disrupt the idealized form, and still function as instruments in the world.

RSVP for the opening reception on Friday, September 19th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the link below:

Register Here