I’m fascinated by things that are beautiful and repulsive at the same time, so when I came upon the work of Carrie Longley I was immediately drawn in. Her ceramic sculptures examine the relationship between art and science.

Adipose obesus

12x12x12inches, ceramic, glaze, steel wire, pig intestine, mixed media 2009

Looking at her work is like a taking a visit to the The Mütter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, a collection of medical monstrosities, preserved brains, livers, and fetuses; dignified and beautiful collections of objects that make you want to look closer and observe and make you  want to turn away at the same time. Similar to works in a museum, each piece is labeled and displayed in cases like those used to display ancient artifacts.

Capillus linus

10x6x6 inches, ceramic, glaze, steel wire, pig intestine, mixed media 2009

Longley says: "My intention as an artist is to create a playful shifting back and forth between our traditional ideas of a scientific specimen and art object.

I utilize the malleable characteristics of clay to create small-scale sculptures, which resemble preserved scientific specimens. The forms display warty surfaces, soft, fleshy folds and puckered openings, suggestive of organic growth. I use clay primarily for its material and technical possibilities, and its chameleon-like ability to mimic organic form and surfaces. The aesthetic characteristics of glaze allow me to achieve a surface depth similar to a membrane or skin of an organism."

Porcarius cauda

10x6x6 inches, ceramic, glaze, steel wire, pig intestine, mixed media 2009