Ian M. Petrie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, 2013. He was selected for the Northern Clay Center’s Fogelberg Residency in 2013 and a Resident Artist at the Worcester Center for Crafts in 2016-2018. Ian has exhibited his work across the country, including the American Museum for Ceramic Art in 2017. Currently residing in Philadelphia, PA, Ian spends his time making pots when he is sick of the soul-crushing neatness of paper/ink, and drawing comics when he can no longer stand the sight of an endless barrage of dinnerware. 

Born from the inherently black and white nature (in aesthetics and ethics) of the comics/manga universe, the surfaces of my pieces are used as utilitarian canvases to explore narrative. To this end, my work is made using very traditional comic/manga materials and processes. All images begin as original drawings on bristol board with old-school nib and ink style illustration with watercolor shading. The drawings are then scanned, processed and burned onto a screen. The screenprinting is done with special-made ceramic ink, and the images are applied onto clay slabs via a slip transfer. From there, the clay pieces are coiled and pinched into form, and finally fired with a clear crackle glaze to 2120°F.