Artist's statement by Sandra Trujillo
Last summer, I participated in a Fulbright-Hays seminar to the Czech Republic and Hungary. I was impressed by the art and architecture within the larger cities like Prague and Budapest. I think what inspired me to work with shadows in these ceramic works were the stories and legends that many of the buildings were famous for. Many of the buildings in Prague are old (some date to 14th century) and are various shades of gray, both achromatic grays and chromatic grays. The impression of seeing a 250-foot tall green/gray set of towers on the 15th c. Tyn Church in the sunlight with cast shadows encompassing all things below was nothing less than stunning. The adage "living amongst the shadows of the past" came to mind and became the seminal thought behind the imagery painted on these objects. Here, these small ceramic square teapots and tea caddies serve to remember stories from my family and past generations.
Sandra Trujillo