The vessel, the archetypal female form has been central to my work for more than twenty years, whether the vessels were made of clay or fiber. Both materials are associated with Neolithic civilizations which produced vessels in clay and fiber to store and carry grain, water, wine...life giving substances.

The pieces represent a life spirit for me, which is why mythologies, Hindu, Egyptian, Greek and African figure so strongly in my titles. Creation myths, stories of birth, death, beauty, evil, fire, sun and moon, sky and seasons, ideas central to all life seem to me a vital way to connect with who we are, where we come from, and what we all share - our commonalties as humans.

I want my work to celebrate those ideas since I feel our ability to celebrate has been so damaged by contemporary angst, fear, mistrust and cynicism. Our spirit of joy and beauty must live in spite of the pain of existence. I make no apologies for wanting my work to be visually delightful. I hope it has grace and elegance, that it can make the spirit soar, maybe briefly, but joyfully, as a celebration of life, and the resilience of the human spirit.

For Further Information Contact

Patti Lechman
344 South Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103
1-901-521-9916
Fax 1-901-544-5504