For American ceramicist Heather Allen Hietala, the vessel is a muse—a symbol and metaphor for life’s journey. Hietala’s striking dynamic wall sculpture features five canoe shaped pieces displayed in a row, accented by detailed metal paddle-like forms that represent ‘instruments of motion.’ Hietala’s gorgeous hand-built clay vessels are rendered in an earthy palette; some are lined with recycled glass in turquoise; the exteriors textured and glazed.

“How do we express ourselves when we feel caught between worlds, both familiar and unfamiliar? What compels us to grow, to leap? Mixed media artwork helps me explore and express these questions from a variety of angles.” Heather Allen Hietala

She studied painting and sculpture at the University of New Hampshire and textiles at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. Hietala furthered her studies at Penland School of Crafts, Haystack, and Arrowmont in the US. Her work has been shown in Canada, the US, France and Singapore, and is held in collections worldwide. She has also taught and lectured in the US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Nepal.