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Modern Makers: Q&A with Dust and Form
02 February 2022
Interviews
Dust and Form’s organic ceramic vessels will be showcasing at Gabriel Scott’s New York showroom, as part of our Modern Maker series.
Dust and Form is an exploration of temporary brilliance. Brielle Macbeth Rovito expresses this concept through sculptural forms and designed objects.
Her pieces evoke curiosity and playfulness, acting as an invitation to savor the present moment. By lending elegant form to raw material, Dust and Form seeks to honor our journey from dust to dust. All pieces are made by hand in Burlington, Vermont, USA.
We had the pleasure of speaking to Brielle from Dust and Form all about her practice, where her journey with ceramics began and where it may take her next.
GS: What's the main inspiration behind your work?
BR: I am inspired by the notion of “temporary brilliance” or the fleeting beauty that is constantly around us in nature and in human essence.
GS: How did you get into your craft?
BR: I majored in Studio Art in undergrad, and through the mentorship of a professor, fell in love with the possibilities for refinement within the technique of slip-casting.
GS: What's your background in?
BR: I have had a creative pursuit all of my adult life. In tandem with this, I have also worked in sales and various service jobs to support the development of my ceramic practice.
GS: How do you see your work progressing?
BR: I plan to continue exploring my material and understanding its limits. I also hope to incorporate different mediums to expand what is possible with my designs.
GS: Are you interested in exploring other materials or crafts?
BR: I am very interested in exploring other materials and crafts. I have long held a reverence for glass blowing as well as the preciseness needed for woodworking. Whether through collaboration or education, I hope to explore my ideas outside of the confines of ceramics.
GS: What does the making process look like for you?
BR: I start with an initial idea that I often sculpt in plaster or clay. Once refined, I go about the process of making a mould of this initial form. The mould allows for precise replication. Most of the pieces are then fired one to two times in a kiln and finished with a laborious hand sanding process. The end result is a buttery smooth form that is irresistible to touch.
GS: How long does the making process take?
BR: The process is very multi-step; however, once we have the molds we will use for casting, a piece will take about four to five days from start to finish (accounting for drying and firing times).
GS: What do you find the most difficult & enjoyable part of making?
BR: I find the most enjoyable part of making to be the initial ideation and creation of a concept or form. That excitement of creating something new never gets old for me. The difficulty has shown itself in troubleshooting materials so that they are just right when a piece goes through the entire process.
GS: When did you start making & why?
BR: Making comes as somewhat of a necessity for me. It feels part of my DNA, so I actually cannot remember a time when I was not making something. My ceramic practice solidified once I left the formal academic environment. I needed consistent creating as part of my connection to this world, both for its tactile nature and for the meditation that comes with a creative practice.
GS: What does your work say about you?
BR: I often laugh to myself that I make work that is very peaceful and contemplative when in fact, that is rarely my lived experience. But I think what that says about me is that I’m sincerely striving for the moment of pause when one’s inner and outer world are taking a collective inhale and exhale.
GS: Do you have a favorite piece in your collection? If so, why?
BR: My favorite piece right now is the Unda Form. Each time I make it, I am taken in again by its deep fluidity. “Unda” is a latin word that describes water, specifically waves or ripples. I love the concept of resonating motion that we witness from water. It helps to ground me in the constant ebb and flow we can experience in this life.
GS: Where can people see your work?
Instagram: @dustandform
Exhibiting at: Gabriel Scott New York Showroom - 372 Broome Street, New York NY 10013