Childhood Vitreous
Location: Preschool 
Details, Childhood Vitreous by Casey O’Connor
The washroom in the Children’s Studio was created by and for the
children in JMKAC’s Preschool with California artist Casey O’Connor. Childhood Vitreous
combines spirited painted tiles in primary colors with O’Connor’s
sculptural homage to beloved children’s toys. He perfected a technique
of injecting discarded stuffed toy animals with slip, or liquid clay.
After drying, the stuffed toys are fired. The hardened clay retains the
form and textures of the toy animal, while the stuffing and fabric burn
away. O’Connor utilized this technique to make sculptures for the
niches in the washroom, often joining parts of one toy with another.
These sculptures evoke a flood of memories prompted by the worn nap of
much-loved teddy bears and crocheted animals. The room, finished with a
toddler-scale sink, has a bright blue scalloped seat toilet with
hundreds of ceramic tiles glazed by children who attended the Arts
Center’s unique arts-based Preschool. Self-portraits and images of
family members, pets, suns, and monsters in primary colors make this a
special place for children. Artist(s):Related ProgramsFunding/SponsorArts/Industry is made possible by Kohler Co. Terms Of Use |