Steeped in Clay, a Bachelor of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition by Lee Beaton at the Glen P. Sutherland Gallery of Art.
Opening reception: Thursday, March 26 at 7:00pm.
Exhibition runs from March 26 to April 4, 2026.
Admission is free.
Thesis Statement
Steeped in Clay is a body of work that reimagines resurfaced early childhood memories in ceramic vessels. Memories are often fragmented or distorted yet remain buried in the subconscious until recalled and reshaped. The teapot serves as a central symbol within this series, representing slowness, conversation, and imagination. Childhood memories of my grandmother’s musical teapot, displayed prominently in her china cabinet, form the conceptual foundation of this work.
In the studio, I transform fragments of memory into clay. The rhythmic motion of the pottery wheel becomes a meditative process, allowing memories to surface as the vessels take form. Once assembled, sections of each teapot are cut away, creating openings that act as repositories for narrative memory. Underglaze is used to paint imagery drawn from the subconscious and old photographs, while glazing completes the piece. Each object functions simultaneously as a teapot and a narrative container.
As these memories emerge, I am drawn to the specific locations tied to each memory. Each piece in this series is rooted in the boundaries of my grandparents’ farm, where much of my childhood was spent outdoors exploring the land. From climbing trees, to inventing adventures among abandoned cars, old wood stoves, and the junk pile, imagination shaped my experiences. These once-distant fragments of memories are now permanently captured in clay. I have chosen to focus on positive lighthearted memories even though some negative memories had resurfaced.
In The Barn, interior and exterior views intersect, creating visual tension that invites viewers to recall their own memories. The small opening of the barn door draws the viewer inward while simultaneously transporting them outside. Subtle imagery of distant trees reflects time spent exploring the trees that bordered the pasture.
The teapot, The Granary, recalls the interior space where my brother and I spent many hours playing. We watched our grandfather scoop wheat into bags and carefully weigh them on a dusty scale. This scale held our attention long enough for him to work uninterrupted. Inside the vessel, objects from this space are both painted with underglaze and recreated in clay, inviting viewers to step back in time.
July 21, 1969, reflects on the day man first walked on the moon. Like many others, we gathered around a black-and-white television, watching in awe as the event unfolded. The television, rarely used, was reserved for moments of significance, once all chores were completed.
These forms house memories that were once only fragments and have now gained a permanence outside of my subconscious. Through these vessels, personal history and shared experience intertwine, inviting viewers to reflect on their own memories and to be transported to another time and place.
– Lee Beaton, 2026
Lee Beaton is a BFA (Honours) candidate majoring in Ceramics. Located in Portage la Prairie, MB, Beaton has been working towards this degree part-time since 2016.
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