Theo Helmstadter

I work in reduction-fired stoneware clay. My pots are functional—designed for daily use—but they are sculpture as well. Local clays and glaze materials, simple, spontaneous throwing technique, and an intense high-temperature firing contribute to their earthy and contemplative presence.

I invest my work with a sense of quiet, of time, of depth. I am inspired by the pots of the past, especially by the humble, useful, pots in the Asian folk tradition. Many of these ‘functional’ pieces are celebrated now for their spiritual presence and sculptural rigor.

My studio & gallery are located at the Lena Street Lofts near downtown Santa Fe.