Marilyn Palsha
North Carolina

Low fire clay, underglaze, transfers, crackle glaze, India ink, matte acrylic spray
Non-functional
10"w x 6.75"l x 12"h

About the Teapot
Figures and faces are of special interest to me. The Teapot of Two Faces was sculpted from a slab cylinder. Working from a slab allows pushing the clay from the inside and the outside. When the clay dries a bit, it can be carved, and additional clay can be added. This piece had underglaze transfers added before the first firing. A black wash and clear crackle glaze were applied before the second firing. India ink was rubbed into the cracks post-firing.
One side of this teapot features a large third eye representing intuition, inner wisdom, and perception beyond ordinary sight. The roses are symbols of unconditional love. The skull and raven present the duality of life and death. The other side symbolizes appreciation for nature. Viewers may see other meanings or no meaning at all. My main intent was to create an object of visual interest. I am honored to participate in my twelfth National Teapot Show at Cedar Creek Gallery.

About the Artist
My formal study of ceramics began in the late ‘60s at East Carolina University and continued through summer workshops at Penland School of Craft. Falls and winters were spent teaching art in Franklin County schools for twenty-one years. I retired as soon as I could and have enjoyed making pottery and sculpture for the last twenty-five years. I now work in my Chapel Hill, NC home studio. I am honored to participate in my twelfth National Teapot Show at Cedar Creek Gallery.

Artist Statement
Clay is my medium of choice for sculpting, drawing, and painting. I see pots as sculptures. Complex forms call for simple surfaces, while simple forms can serve as a canvas for complex decoration. Clay is a unique medium that accommodates a wide range of forms and surface combinations. I like to explore these combinations with organic shapes that look like they grew their appendages, and with figurative forms.
Mayan pots at the Metropolitan and dishes at the Dollar Store interest me. Etruscan, Minoan, and Maiolica pottery, as well as Carmen Miranda cookie jars, inspire me. I see how use affects the form's design and how decoration affects how the form is seen. I enjoy being part of the tradition of using common clay to create useful and interesting objects.

*Teapots that are purchased will remain on display in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition, through September 14, 2026.
After the show closes, teapots will be carefully packed and shipped by September 28, or they may be picked up at the gallery.

National Teapot Show XIII

Filter by

Marilyn Palsha - Teapot of Two Faces