BEAN PECORARI
Bean Pecorariβs (they/them) ceramic work is an exploration of the relationships between community, nature, gender, and energy. They undulate between figurative sculpture and pottery, always searching for a way to convey narrative within their work whether it be through pattern or three dimensional image making. Bean has a BFA in ceramics from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. They spent time there as a teaching assistant for Ben Ryterband, and as the head coordinator of Clay For Change, a partnership with Haley House soup kitchen for their annual empty bowls event. Bean also has experience as an outdoor educator, which is where they gained their enthusiasm for community building, self exploration, and connecting with nature.
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Bean Pecorari is a Brookline based ceramicist. They are a passionate lentil maker, and houser of plants. Oftentimes, their functional pottery is made to house their passions (lentils and plants). To see more of their work, visit them on Instagram @bean_ceramics.
How did your relationship with art and artistic expression begin?
When I was a wee child I liked to draw and paint, and carried that with me through high school. When I got to college ceramics surprised me and I fell in love with the hands on process of making art from literal mud.
What kind of process went into organizing the works you submitted to βALL STAFF MEETINGβ? What were some of your biggest considerations with this project?
Iβve been dancing around ideas for my Dancing Ghosts for years, and Iβve been dabbling with incorporating greek pottery references into my work for almost just as long. I was not able to effectively incorporate these ghosts until I started producing them as image transfers, which are kind of like temporary tattoos that you paint and put on clay. They take forever to make, but the results are well worth it in my opinion.
How have you enjoyed your time as a ceramics instructor at the BAC? What part of the job has brought you the most satisfaction?
My favorite part of the job are those precious moments I get to witness where something finally clicks for my students that theyβve been struggling with
What has been the most challenging part of your journey as an artist? And what has been the most rewarding?
The hardest thing has been learning how to market my art and do sales. I just wanna be able to make stuff but the money side of things can get overwhelming sometimes. What makes it worth it is what Iβve learned about myself along the way and seeing my finished projects take a form.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring artist?
Learning how to look is just as important as learning how to do.
What is next for you? Where can people find and support you?
I will be curating an exhibition for local trans and nonbianary artists in the summer at the Beacon Street Gallery, and I have a piece in Figuratively Speaking, which will be one of the 2023 NCECA featured exhibitions at the ADC Fine Arts Gallery. You can also find me on instagram @bean_ceramics :)
