About Steven Goss

For me, design begins with an idea and a thought as to how to express that idea. My idea is first examined on paper. And then that idea evolves in clay. In the end, the clay and the glaze and the kiln inform me as to their thoughts about my idea. This process challenges me to see the expected and the unexpected. I feel that working with clay invites me to accept a partnership with the materials that can produce something more than the sum of the parts.

What I see at the end of this process is informed by all the actions and reactions of the partnership. I remember the evolution of my idea. I can tell the story of the process of each object created. But, what the viewer sees is not informed by that process. The viewer may see the idea we worked to express, but it will also be filtered through the lens of their own life. The viewer may also see another idea and tell themselves a different story. I think it is perfect to see both responses to what was created.

All my life I have felt compelled to create. Whether it was Tinker Toys, finger paints, Erector Sets, crayons or simply pencil and paper, expressing myself by creating something is at the core of who I am. Design forces me to listen and to think and to try to understand. I believe we are all better when we examine ourselves and others and try to understand what we see and hear and feel.