Georgia Blizzard
A Closer Look
Form is a primary consideration in Georgia Blizzard's ceramic artwork Lola. Look at the rounded figure of this woman. Every feature of her body is voluminous. While the sculpture is only 11 1/2 inches tall it commands a big presence as a three-dimensional form. It is quite smooth in texture and its shiny surface seems to emphasize its roundness. Try making an animal or person out of clay. Make it rounded like a balloon. How does this make you feel about the subject?
About the Sculpture
Georgia Blizzard's ceramic sculpture Lola is a type of effigy jug, a clay pot with a face or figure on it--a Southern folk tradition that has African roots. When she was young Blizzard learned to dig her own clay from creek banks and caves. She usually fired her sculptures twice, first in an electric kiln and then in an open pit to make it hard, as American Indians did. Blizzard's mother, who was part Apache, taught her this technique. Blizzard used all sorts of things as glazes for her pots, including wood, rubber and dung.
About the Artist
Georgia Blizzard came from a poor family in rural Virginia and only went to school for eight years. She and her sister played in a creek near their home, fascinated by the "little chimneys" that the crayfish built with clay from the stream bottom. She never went to art school but her memories of childhood inspired her to be an artist. She said, "It seems like you can create anything if you still have that childhood magic with you."
Write About It
- Make a list of what you see.
- How did the artist use the elements and principles of design?
- What do you think the sculpture means? How does it make you feel?
- Select two sculptures to compare & contrast.
