THE PAST IS PRESENT: FAMILY URNS

Abstract

Family Urns is a body of work consisting of large ceramic vessels created with the intention of holding both tangible memorabilia and intangible memories for an entire family. The urns symbolize a family unit, they document the passing of family members, and are intended to be passed on to future generations. The vessels have the physical potential to contain relics, memorabilia, or cremation ashes for one or more family members. Conceptually the urns serve as a spiritual support for the living, as they provide the opportunity to know and understand one's personal and collective family history. The research in this thesis describes the investigation of history, form, surface, and firing methods for the creation of communal funerary urns that communicate the relationships between life, death, and humanity, while also maintaining the connection between the purpose and beauty of such vessels.