Gillian Parke
North Carolina
Porcelain, openstock decals, metallic luster
Functional
8"w x 6"l x 4"h
About the Teapot
My work is primarily wheel-thrown and altered porcelain, including pieces made with feldspar and molochite inclusions. After forming and assembling the components, the pieces are dried, then layered with resists and underglazes to build the surface. Once they’re gas‑reduction fired to cone 10, I apply additional layers of decals and lusters, which require multiple low‑temperature electric firings to cone 017.
About the Artist
Gillian was born in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, and grew up in Weymouth, MA. She graduated from Boston University with a BA in chemistry. Her journey with clay began in 1995 with a wheel-throwing class offered through Parks and Recreation in Chapel Hill. After spending a year taking courses toward an MFA in ceramics at East Carolina University, Gillian returned to Durham, where she currently has a studio. She was chosen by Ceramics Monthly Magazine as one of 13 Emerging Artists in 2008, featured as a cover artist in the February 2009 issue, and was written about in Pottery Illustrated Magazine. Her work is in numerous public and private collections including the San Angelo Museum of Art and the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC.
Artist Statement
Gillian Parke’s work explores the fusion of rough and fine textures and surfaces into complete ceramic pieces. The roughness is embodied in the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in the natural imperfections that arise during the throwing and firing of stoneware; the fineness emanates from traditional Western-manufactured porcelain ceramics. Feldspar inclusions are added to porcelain, and the resulting surfaces are achieved through a combination of unpredictable atmospheric gas firing and reliable electric firing. The conflict is further explored by incorporating open-stock decals and metallic lusters, resulting in each piece being fired up to a dozen times.
*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.