Ceramic Houseplants by Ariana Heinzman Revel in the Absurdity of Domestication

an abstract ceramic sculpture of a flower that stands up on its leaves with a droopy red blossom
“Shrug” (2024), stoneware and underglaze, 13 x 10 x 11 inches

Ceramic Houseplants by Ariana Heinzman Revel in the Absurdity of Domestication

Over the centuries, humanity’s relationship with wilderness has becoming increasingly fraught, as we continue to diminish natural green spaces in favor of roads, buildings, and manicured lawns. For Vashon Island-based artist Ariana Heinzman, our connection—or disconnection—to nature plays a central role in her vibrant ceramics practice.

For her current solo exhibition, Habitat for a Fake Plant at J. Rinehart Gallery, Heinzman (previously) conceived of a collection of quirky stoneware houseplants that sit on stools, irregularly shaped large-scale paintings, and decapitated-looking cuttings installed on the wall. These pieces interrogate the absurdity of bringing nature into human-made environments, examining how we have trained plants to acclimate to interior life.

an abstract ceramic sculpture of a flower on a blue stool that stands up on leaves resembling banana peels, with four blue and red blossoms
“Banana Split Plant” (2024), ceramic and underglaze, 28 x 14 x 10 inches. All images © Ariana Heinzman, courtesy of J. Rinehart Gallery, shared with permission

“In this world, plant-like sculptures are wrapped in patterns reminiscent of tablecloths and wallpaper,” the artist says in a statement for the show, emphasizing their domestic role. The specimens sprout leaves that are flattened to adhere better to flat surfaces, and the foliage assumes anthropomorphic poses, “lounging in this new environment where their purpose is decoration.”

If you’re in Seattle, you can stop by Habitat for a Fake Plant through August 28. Explore more on the artist’s website and Instagram.

an abstract ceramic sculpture of a flower on a blue stool
“Flower Blob” (2024), ceramic and underglaze, 19 x 13 x 4 inches
an abstract ceramic sculpture of a red flower
“Berry Wing” (2024), acrylic and ink on canvas, 35.5 x 43.5 x 3 inches
an abstract ceramic sculpture of a flower on a brown stool
“Rubbernecking” (2024), ceramic and underglaze, 21 x 21 x 15 inches
a shaped abstract painting like a pudgy "V" or two simplified leaves, filled with plant-like shapes and patterns in red, yellow, black, green, and pink
“Pinky” (2024) acrylic and ink on canvas, 41 x 47 x 3 inches
an installation view of ceramic sculptures on colorful stools and paintings installed on a gallery wall, with one wall painted teal
Installation view of ‘Habitat for a Fake Plant’ at J. Rinehart Gallery, Seattle

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