Critic’s Pick: Ceramist Jillian Kwitkiwski
Artist Jillian Kwitkiwski holds one of her abstract ceramic sculptures in the studio. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Like so many artists I’ve worked with, I do not exactly remember where I first saw Jillian Kwitkiwski’s work. But I remember how much I liked it. Jillian is an artist working in clay who creates works that have impressive qualities, from their scale and form, to the use of subtle glazes and effects on their surfaces. Through April 26, one of Jillian’s ceramics is on view in the 40th Annual Omer T. Lassonde Exhibition at the New Hampshire Art Association in Portsmouth. I juried the exhibition and was delighted to have Jillian’s work in the show and to award her an Honorable Mention for her piece.
During a recent conversation about her work, Jillian explains that she enjoys seeing the way different viewers receive her work. She says, “When people look at my work, I hope they experience a sense of curiosity and feel present in the moment. Part of the fun working abstract is the work is interpreted differently by every viewer. If I can create a piece that draws their thinking inwards, even for a moment, from the business of the everyday world, that’s very special to me.”
There is something meditative about looking at one of Jillian’s sculptures, including the piece on view at NHAA. The bulbous abstraction of her forms invites interaction and examination. The NHAA show is the second time I have shown Jillian’s work in an exhibition. In 2025, she contributed three sculptures to Now and Next, an exhibition of emerging artists I curated for Dryden Gallery in North Providence, Rhode Island. Her procession of sculptures at Dryden received very positive feedback from visitors and served as a grounding centerpiece to a collaborative show. Jillian’s are artworks that look great both when presented minimally in the round as well as when set against the backdrop of a dense group exhibition.
Jillian earned her BA in 2025, studying studio art with a concentration in ceramics at Salve Regina University, a liberal arts school headquartered in a Gilded Age mansion overlooking the cliffs of Newport, Rhode Island. She exhibited often during her time at Salve, earning multiple awards including Best in Ceramics, Best in Mixed Media, and the Goodland Award in Ceramics. She also co-founded the school’s Pottery Club. It was also at Salve that she honed her craft.
Jillian discussing her sculptural work at the opening of Now and Next, a 2025 exhibition of emerging artists at Dryden Gallery in North Providence. Photo by Michael Rose.
Reflecting on how her work comes together, Jillian explains, “My process usually begins with a memory or concept my mind continuously wanders back to. I create as a way to process and understand the world around me. Once the concept is locked in, I start my creative process. I will go through several rounds of sketching, journaling and researching before and throughout the building process. For sculptures, I generally start off with a slab and build up slowly and intuitively with coils. The works are built over many months and continuously refined.”
The impact of Jillian’s work is immediate and even those who may not have a ceramics background are impressed by the sheer craftsmanship involved in their creation. As carefully thought out objects formed using many pounds of clay, they are weighty artworks that hold their own.
Jillian Kwitkiwski’s Imprinted Collection, executed in stoneware in 2022-2023. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Looking at the results of Jillian’s work, it is tempting to compare what she is making to predecessors in the world of abstraction. The artist herself can name a number of favorite makers who influence her work. She says, “I take inspiration from a few artists like Henry Moore, Yayoi Kusama and Yee Soo-kyung. I am drawn to their abilities to transform materials and immerse their audiences in their works. I take most of my inspiration from natural systems in our environment and my Korean heritage.”
A thoughtful and gifted artist who is rapidly establishing her own studio practice, Jillian is also an emerging professional in the field, working as Studio Manager and Ceramics Instructor at The Clay Table and also as a Pottery Assistant at Claireamics, both in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Jillian is a passionate maker. She lives her art, and her lived experience informs her art. Looking forward, she is excited for a new body of work. She previews it by explaining, “I just started a new collection about my family tree! I am challenging myself by trying new techniques in hand building and wheel throwing like making moon jars. I just started working in a new studio and it's very exciting to be part of a creative community again.”
Jillian Kwitkiwski’s Hourglass Collection, executed in stoneware in 2023. Photo courtesy of the artist.
It is always enjoyable to connect with new artists, particularly talented people like Jillian who are just starting exciting careers. I am glad to know her and am honored to have been able to include her work in a couple of exhibitions at the start of what will undoubtedly become a lengthy and impressive resume. I also cannot wait to see what comes next in her practice.
Learn more about Jillian Kwitkiwski at www.jilliankwitkiwski.com and follow her studio practice on Instagram via @jillian.kwit.ceramics. The
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