Artist Statement

I am a ceramic artist working primarily in functional stoneware, creating forms that balance precision, strength, and bold surface. My background in the military continues to influence my work through disciplined construction, attention to detail, and an appreciation for purposeful form. Tight silhouettes and deliberate lines reflect the structure and clarity of military life, while vibrant, contrasting colors speak to the freedom and joy I discovered after transitioning to civilian life following retirement from the United States Navy. I draw inspiration from mid-century German “Fat Lava” ceramics, particularly their expressive forms and dynamic color palettes, as well as traditional Banshan pottery and its clean lines and refined craftsmanship. These influences allow me to combine control and energy, structure and spontaneity, within each piece. Through layered glaze, terra sigillata, and functional forms, I aim to create work that feels both contemporary and ancient—objects that embody resilience, lived experience, and connection through daily use.

Artist Biography

Angela Tilley is a ceramic artist and retired United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer based in Norfolk, Virginia. After serving more than 26 years in the military, including multiple overseas deployments, she discovered clay as both a creative outlet and a grounding force during her transition to civilian life. In 2018, she founded All Hands Pottery Studio, a community clay studio dedicated to making ceramics accessible through education, connection, and shared creative practice. Working primarily in stoneware, Tilley creates functional pottery influenced by traditional Banshan ceramics and mid-century German “Fat Lava” pottery. Her work combines disciplined construction with bold color, expressive form, and layered surfaces incorporating glaze and terra sigillata. Through her vessels, she explores themes of resilience, structure, joy, and transformation. Tilley’s work has been exhibited in regional and national juried exhibitions, and she continues to refine her practice through residencies, workshops, and ongoing glaze research.