Craftivist Clay: Resistance and Activism in Contemporary Ceramics

摘要

AbstractudCraftivist Clay: Resistance and Activism in Contemporary CeramicsudMary Callahan BaumstarkudMaster of Arts in Contemporary Art, Design, and New Media HistoriesudOCAD UniversityudApril 2016udSince the late twentieth century, the social engagement of craft emerged as audprimary concern for both makers and activists. While “craftivism” was quickly definedudby the work of a few, this thesis expands previous considerations of craftivism as bothudtheoretical construct and making method. Considering the emergence of craftivism asudmethod, this paper examines the work of ceramic craftivists, analyzing their practices andudproduced works within a context of increased political urgency, using ceramics as audmicrocosmic exploration for craftivism in a given craft media. This thesis will analyze theudefficacy of this method in contemporary ceramics, seeking to clarify both the import andudimpact of craftivism in a world overwhelmed by both activist causes and material goods.udThis thesis questions and complicates the history of craftivist theory, its role inudcontemporary ceramic practice, and its efficacy as a whole, exploring the extent to whichudcraft can create social change.udKeywords: craftivism, craft, ceramic, maker, activism, method, feminism, clay, activist,udobject