the artist index for Upstate South Carolina david zacharias

southern exposure group page

about the artist

After receiving a BFA and an MFA in ceramics and sculpture from the University of South Carolina, David Zacharias lives, works, and teaches in Spartanburg, SC as a member of the Converse College Department of Art & Design.

artist's thoughts

"Creativity is where discovery begins. Creativity starts with an idea and is followed by a debate to determine the worthiness of the idea. If the idea is worthy of the hard work that follows, an end product may be realized. Once work begins, creativity does not stop but it rarely peaks again like it did when the idea was initially conceived. Creativity usually leads to something new or a new, better way or example of something that has already been done. Creativity is essential in almost everything that we do or involve ourselves with on a daily basis. The importance of creativity is immeasurable. Just as creativity is the essential spark that leads to the creation of almost all things, creativity has that same importance in our lives.

The power of discovery is euphoric. It begins with an idea that is worthy of the time investment to see it through. Then the hard work takes place to take that idea from purely an idea or perhaps a series of sketches to an actual object. The height of this euphoria, for me, occurs when a piece is just completed in the damp clay state. At this time the clay is in what is called a leather hard state. I place the piece on a potters wheel, give it a slow spin and walk around the studio looking at it from various angles and distances. Sometimes minor changes will be made but it is at this time that the form and subtleties in the form are most bold. Although the end product is not realized until it comes out of the final firing, it is the leather hard state when the greatest discovery is made. Future exploration usually evolves from this state until an idea is exhausted."