One Foot in the Here & Now, One in the Beyond

Central Arkansas artist transcends reality with clay and paint

The earliest known pottery vessels date back to 18,000 B.C. and were found in a land far from our cozy city. It is an art form that has existed for millennia. It ranges from useful household items to simple dolls to—in more modern times—high-end art installations. Ceramic dishes have been found in the tombs of great pharaohs and left behind in the halls of castles. To put it mildly, it’s an art form that has secured its place in the world—and it is a solid place indeed.

Ceramics and pottery exist in both myth and reality, and while this is true of many artistic mediums, the three-dimensional aspect of pottery places it directly in the line of sight of viewers and admirers. It’s a hands-on, dirty job. It takes a soul with a passion for breathing life into earth and clay to bring it all together.

That’s where Evan Michael Gilliard comes in. The 26-year-old Arkansas-based artist has a love for his medium that is palpable when he speaks about it. He combines both the spiritual and the physical in his work, drawing inspiration from what he describes as the world we all inhabit—not just the environment he occupies as an individual. “I want to expand beyond the perspective of just a oneness and into more encompassing aspects,” Evan said about what has been fueling him to create. “I like to think that I am working my way toward creating a more connected future for the people who view the work—and not only them, but also the people who are working with me.”

"Under the mask"

For Evan, art is a means of conversation. When people look at his work, he wants them to feel compelled to say something—whether complimentary or critical. As an artist, his goal is to invoke critical thinking in viewers. He wants them to reflect on the world around them: the state of politics in their community, the way we treat our neighbors, our own religious views. His pieces often combine humanistic traits with metaphysical elements. He sees the clay as having a life of its own, and he is simply the one who shapes it into what it demands to become.

Conversation with other artists is also central to his creative process. Evan places great importance on surrounding himself with other creative minds, believing that connection and the variety of perspectives they offer only encourage him to create more deeply. For him, that’s what makes participating in the upcoming gallery at The Loom: Interlinked so exciting. In his own words, “The creative energy that is brought into the space with like-minded individuals is something that is not only iconic and unique, but it’s necessary.”

"Thought-Full" - Spring 2024 - Acrylic paints, Copic marker, 24K gold acrylic, 24k gold lead - 12''x24''

Evan’s work goes beyond stirring thoughts in the minds of viewers; it also traces a personal journey of self-reflection and identity. A significant part of that identity is being a Black artist in the South. From exploring what lies behind the image he sees in the mirror and the color of his skin to growing beyond expectations placed on him by the repressive nature of the environment in which he was raised, his work carries both introspection and defiance. For him, to be Black and an artist in Arkansas means challenging the status quo and pushing beyond what feels comfortable—for himself and for his audience.

Looking toward the future, Evan hopes to complete his Master of Fine Arts degree. He also plans to explore combining traditional and modern artistic practices to push the boundaries of ceramics even further. His work will be on display for one night only, February 21, at The Loom: Interlinked. If you’d like to see more of his work, visit his Instagram @art_byevn.