Deborah Harris
North Carolina
Porcelain clay
Functional
8.75"w x 5.25"l x 6.25"h
About the Teapot
On my daily walk past a nearby lake there are many creatures in the area from turtles, fish, herons, eagles, and hawks to exciting brief glimpses of otters and beavers. The teapot allows this memory to be preserved, shared and enjoyed with every pot of tea.
About the Artist
The majority of my work is wheel-thrown porcelain. The pots are decorated by brushing black slip onto the leather hard clay and then carved with a variety of tools. This sgraffito technique adds subtle texture exposing the raw white porcelain. The celadon glaze used on many of these pieces gets the soft blue/green color from trace amounts of iron in the formula. After firing, porcelain becomes translucent to light and rings when gently tapped. These unique properties drew me to work almost exclusively with this clay body.
Artist Statement
Handcrafted pottery serves as an intimate connection between the user and the artist. Objects handled during everyday routines become familiar and comfortable. My hope is that every piece I create will be utilized and enjoyed.
Early use of porcelain dates back to the 12th century Song Dynasty. The beauty of the black and white ware and the celadon glazes from the Cizhou kilns of this period have been a strong influence. The designs express the natural and mythical world with insects, plants, and dragons, which are a rich source of inspiration and motivation. The use of Gingko leaves also draws on historical references. The Ginkgo tree symbolizes strength and longevity and is considered a living fossil as one of the oldest tree forms. In addition to their endurance over millennia, Ginkgos survived the devastating atomic bombings of WW II. This has me considering – where will the shards of my pots be in 1,000 years? I wonder with every tea bowl I throw.
*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.
About National Teapot Show XIII
Cedar Creek Gallery's National Teapot Show XIII is an invitational event featuring teapots crafted by artists from across North America. More than 200 hand-crafted teapots created using a broad range of materials - including pottery, glass, wood, fiber, and mixed media.
Teapots in the show come in all shapes and sizes! Some are functional - just right for your daily cup of tea, while others are created as sculptural teapots.
Every teapot in the show is available for purchase.
All teapots will remain on display (including those already sold), both online and in the gallery, through September 14, 2026.