Ryana Lawson

Ryana Lawson was first drawn to ceramics through the notion of preserving herself and any ephemeral ideas through the material, loosely, like a fading dream. Over time, her practice has developed to form ornate, hand-built objects that intertwine symbols from the natural world with a deeper reflection in personal mythology. She is interested in ideas surrounding beauty and value, juxtaposed by the harsh realities of life and the ultimate grief of death. Each piece is pinched in terracotta and adorned with flora and fauna using both sculptural and illustrative elements to weave a delicate narrative for the viewer to decode.  

Originally from Rochester, NY, Ryana Lawson is a ceramic artist currently residing in Seattle, WA. Ryana received an MFA in Ceramics from the Pennsylvania State University in 2019 and a BFA in Ceramics from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2015. Most recently, she completed a long-term residency at Pottery Northwest from 2019-2023. She has attended residencies and exhibited her work across the United States.