Artist Statement

As a ceramic artist, I blend wheel-thrown and hand-built forms, often deconstructing and modifying the pieces to create something entirely new. My process is one of transformation, guided by the energy of the moment. I use gestural marks and textured surfaces to impart each work with a sense of movement and depth, capturing the passage of time and the impermanence that defines existence.

Drawing inspiration from nature and universal energy, I am deeply influenced by the philosophies that celebrate impermanence, imperfection, and the quiet beauty found in the natural world, as well as the Abstract Expressionist Movement—particularly the works of Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell, Cy Twombly, and Peter Voulkos. At the intersection of these influences, my art emerges — prioritizing emotional resonance over conventional beauty and embracing the deep beauty that arises from organic, unplanned movement and form rather than rigid precision.

Through this fusion of organic philosophy and Abstract Expressionism, I aim to evoke introspection and a deep sense of impermanence. My goal is to create pieces that are not only grounded but also emotionally charged, filled with raw energy that transcends the visual and connects on a deeper, more instinctual level.

For me, ceramics is not merely a medium; it is a form of meditation that connects me to the Earth’s elements and reminds me of our shared interconnectedness.

About Erin

Erin grew up in Washington, D.C. where she was introduced to ceramics on a kick-wheel at 12 years old. Now based in New York City, Erin works as an artist, balancing her creative practice with life alongside her husband, Mickey Mayo, and their two creative kids.

Erin holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Design, as well as an MFA from The Rhode Island School of Design.

Recent Exhibitions

  • NYCxDesign Festival x Sculpture Space’s "Use Me" exhibition, New York, NY, 2025.

  • CaFa’s 20th Tokyo-New York Friendship Ceramic Competition, The Nippon Gallery at The Nippon Club, New York, NY, 2025.
    Jurors: Shinichi Doi, Former Conservator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Dr. Michele Bambling, Director of The Japan Society Gallery; Cora Rosevear, Former Associate Curator at The Museum of Modern Art; Professor Toshio OHI Chozaemon XI of Japan, member of the Japan Art Academy, Visiting Professor of Kanazawa University.
    **Received Honorable Mention Award**

  • The Clay Studio’s 19th Annual Small Favors Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA, 2025

  • Wayne Art Center's Regional Juried Spring Open Exhibition,
    Juror: Christine Lafuente,
    Wayne, PA, 2025.

  • Blue Line Arts Off Center Exhibition,
    Juror: Nancy Servis,
    Roseville, CA, 2025.