Glimpsing Through and Komorebi Scattered Light

October 1, 2024-February 22, 2025

This combined exhibit explores the intersection of organic forms found in nature and the rigid, man-made materials of the modern world. Whether working with clay, fiber, or found objects, it strives to capture the textures, rhythms, and imperfections of the natural environment—shapes reminiscent of ocean currents, tangled roots, and debris washed ashore. Scuba diving gave a glimpse into the serenity of underwater ecosystems, while hiking connects me to the quiet beauty of forests, deserts, and mountains. These experiences flow through the work, reflecting the tension between the strength and fragility of nature.

In preparing for this show, the work was inspired by the Japanese concept of Komorebi—the dappled sunlight filtering through trees, a phenomenon I’ve unknowingly channeled in my art for years. It is reminiscent of lying on the ground as a child, looking up at sunlight through a forest canopy, or gazing up at the sun through sea foam while scuba diving. This interplay of light, form, and motion continues to guide the creative process.

At the same time, the work delves into the abstract ideas of shape and pattern, pushing these concepts beyond their two-dimensional constraints. A trapezoid is not an object itself but a form that an object can take. The work explores questions like: When do shapes and patterns become objects? Can they ever? Can a pattern remain itself even when altered? The work visualizes these ideas through stacked ceramic shapes, connected with wire, which create flexible, elastic sculptures. The work is constantly building on what came before us, visualizing the movement of pattern in motion.

Artist Bio(s)

Jessica Sanders

Jessica Sanders is a ceramic artist based in Tyler, Texas. Her flexible sculptures are composed of ceramic pieces wired together to allow movement. Sanders holds an Associate of Arts from Tyler Junior College (2015), a BFA from the University of Texas at Tyler (2017), and both an MFA and MA from the same institution (2020). She works out of InBetween Studios in Tyler and is a member of The ASGs, a four-woman ceramic collective. Additionally, she founded *ArtShare Zine*. Her recent exhibitions include a solo show at Kilgore College, *Out of the Fire* at Love Texas Art in Fort Worth, and *Patterned Rituals* at Janette Kennedy Gallery in Dallas.

Clay plays a central role in Sanders’ work for its durability and the concept of vitrification. Clay begins as a malleable material that becomes solid and unchangeable after firing. While it can be broken, it cannot be reshaped, making her ability to create moveable ceramic pieces all the more compelling.

Paula McDermott

Paula McDermott is a mixed media artist based in East Texas, specializing in intuitive sculptures and installations using ceramics, fibers, and found objects. Her work is deeply influenced by a lifelong passion for art, nature, and exploration. From microscopic flora and fauna to the vastness of the universe, McDermott draws inspiration from the contrasts and conflicts between the natural and unnatural worlds, particularly the ocean and forests, which she has spent countless hours exploring and meditating within.

Her art reflects a tactile connection to the earth, with organic forms that embody the beauty of natural patterns, textures, and landscapes. When she’s not in the studio, McDermott can be found teaching ceramics or spending time outdoors, always seeking new sources of inspiration.