by D. E. Hermann Face Jugs were made from turned stoneware and local clays, featuring inset eyes and bared teeth often sculpted from kaolin (a bright white, locally sourced clay and a spiritually significant material in West African traditions). Between the 1840s and the 1860s, these vessels were made in areas like Edgefield, South Carolina, as well as parts of Georgia and North Carolina. They were created by skilled enslaved potters who worked within the region's commerci

by D. E. Hermann The pottery face jugs that originated during the mid-nineteenth century had grotesque or expressive features. As the theme for our then-annual exhibition, our potter's guild chose this subject, allowing each participant to create their own versions. Named the 'Face Forward' exhibition in 2016, I created four functional pieces depicting my worst character failings - my inner demons. Possessing the innate ability to be sidetracked by the most random happenst

by D. E. Hermann Several years ago, our potter’s guild held an exhibition meant to challenge the members to create work honoring face pots, those vessels with diabolic or frightening facial expressions that are part of our early American history. My take on the challenge soon became a series of pieces that gave identities to what I call my ‘inner demons’. It became a cathartic experience in that I was able to, since then, work toward reigning in each of these character fl