Meet Marley Massey for April at Moon+Arrow
This April, Moon+Arrow welcomes Marley Massey as our Visiting Artist, bringing her ethereal, earth-inspired ceramics to our space. Rooted in the rhythms of nature, Marley’s work is a reflection of the natural elements. Her vessels echo the hues of sunrise and sunset, capturing the transient beauty of the natural world in clay. Learn more about Marley Massey below.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey as an artist?
I am an old soul that enjoys reading, hiking, connecting with others, food, wellness and being outside as much as possible. Making was in the foundation of my childhood. Growing up immersed in nature on the Eastern shore of Maryland, earth and the elements have been at the root of my creative practice. To develop a career in the arts, I received a BFA in Studio Art at Salisbury University in 2019 and an MFA in 2022 with a focus in environmental and land art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Presently, my creative practice is an interweave of a variety of mediums and a reflection on my experiences with the elements. The work in clay is a visual interpretation of my infatuation with the forms and colorways in a vast, open sky. I prioritize sustainability by utilizing eco-friendly practices through reclaiming clay scraps, air drying, and limiting water usage. I am excited to see how my recent interests of herbalism, birding and seasonal cooking will unearth and develop new facets of my practice.
What inspired you to pursue this particular medium or form of art?
While earning my BFA at Salisbury University, I primarily focused on 2d work. Through my desire to experiment with various different mediums, ceramics was my first experience with 3d. I will always remember my first session with clay. It was alive with its bubbles and pops, and tings, and flowy nature. This lively energy in the clay and water felt like I was shaping earth itself. The element of chance through glazing allowed me to become loose, let go of control, and have the outcome be up to the universe (and the heat!). Clay taught me patience, impermanence and freedom in a tough season of my life. It has an addictive and playful quality to it that I have been obsessed with since.
How has your background or personal experiences influenced your artistic style?
Growing up on the edge of the continent, immersed in farmland and the sea, I developed a deeply rooted connection with the earth and its elements that will always be at my core. Through making art, I was able to translate my interpretations of watching the sky, sun, moon, and the paerns of birds, tides and wind. Having the subject maer of my work be the elements, it's a constant
reminder that we are an extension of them, and the interconnectivity of everything.
Are there any specific moments or milestones in your career that have shaped your work? Backpacking and portaging in Wild Algonquin, Canada in college for 2 weeks. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, Acadia National Park in Maine, Adirondacks in Upstate NY.
Studios at MassMoCA artist residency. This is where I was able to piece the various pieces of my practice together.
Seeing and touching wild clay for the first time.
Woodfiring and the community that comes with it. Working with and being absorbed in the subject maer I am portraying in my work. Was a full circle moment.
Where do you find inspiration for your pieces? The forms and colorways in a vast open sky, particularly as the sun rises and sets. Immersing myself in nature and connecting with the elements. My ceramics work echos my photography of cyclical celestial (sun & moon) cycles and transient conditions. The influence of these fleeting moments in the sky reflects the versatility of chosen colors and the circular shapes on the vessels.
How do you hope people will feel or respond when they encounter your work? My hope is for viewers to feel inspired to look up at the sky more often. The elementals up there guide every facet of our lives, and are rhythmic reminders that everything is intertwined. I hope those who purchase my work fill their vessels with beautiful items, nourishing food and drinks.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists or creatives? Follow what is calling you and take the leap! It’s not always easy, but it's worth it to live a life aligned with your values.
Where can people find more of your work outside of Moon+Arrow? The online shop on my website, monthly-ish newsletters and local stores. I create and work out of Black Hound Clay Studio South, where I am the Membership Coordinator and Teach Wheel Throwing Classes.
When you’re not creating, what are your favorite spots to visit or things to do in Philadelphia? When I am not making, you can find me running on the Schuylkill River Trail, reading in the park, playing tennis, hiking in the Pine Barrens and swimming in the ocean. My favorite places in Philly are the Headhouse Farmers Market, Middle Child, Old City Coffee, Rival Bros, Jiggy, Cafe Lift, El Rey, Chatayee Thai and Pho Cali.