Kasey Sorrell (also known as SORREAL ART) is a multi-disciplinary artist who was born, raised, and currently living in Durham, NC. Kasey has a background in photography, with the primary focus of documenting nature and still scenes like abandoned homes along the backroads of NC. In 2022, they transitioned my main art form from photography to clay. Kasey creates functional ware as well as sculptures to embellish home with wonder and life. Their style is abstract, gestural and loose. In creating, they believe there's much excitement in the realm of curiosity and uncertainty. They are currently a studio assistant at Claymakers Community Studio and sell their work at Fusion Gallery (Durham, NC) and at local markets.
artist statement:
In all forms of my creative work, I look to the intricate details of nature as a source of inspiration and relate the unique forms to my internal experiences. My recent work has been drawn from looking deep within myself, as one would deeply look within the dark, hidden spaces of the Earth. This desire of digging for the unknown originates from my fascination with caves, rocks, and the bottom of the sea, which were all formed during the early years of Earth. This deep dive has become a metaphorical way for me to process my early years and inform myself of its impact on my personal journey. I admire the variety and reiterations that the Earth continuously births, and I envision to instill these characteristics within myself and my work.
I draw much of my style from surrealism, as it plays with structures of the unconscious mind and the symbolisms that are occurring there. I am inspired by artists like Lucio Fontana, Man Ray, and Joan Miro. My art stems from a stream of consciousness process, using automatism to allow a flow state of creation. My techniques involve surface decoration such as sgraffito, selective glazing, and slip, oxide, and underglaze layering to develop textures and a variety of color depth. Some of my favorite methods of working with raw clay are those which are somewhat destructive, altering wheel thrown pieces to distort forms, using natural materials to dig into greenware, and carving. I emphasize textures using oxides or patinas, leaving behind a raw clay body, which I often like to pair with a contrasting shiny glaze. When I am able, I try to find the opportunity to fire my pots in an atmospheric firing condition - wood, soda, and pit firing, to embrace my theme of connecting nature and human.
exhibitions:
exhibitions with ceramics:
2023, Homegrown, Handmade: Durham, Women, Clay (Pop-up Gallery) - Durham, NC
2024, Durham Arts Guild, Swing into Spring Art Auction @ Trust Gallery - Durham, NC
2024, Moulding Mud (Group Show) @ Liberty Arts, Little Gallery - Durham, NC
2024, Durham Arts Guild Member Showcase @ Truist Gallery - Durham, NC
2024, 100 Cups: Ceramics Cup/Mug Showcase (Group Show) @ The Fuzzy Needle - Durham, NC
2024, Claymakers Annual Community Showcase (Group Show) @ Claymakers - Durham, NC
2024, TIC TAC Annual End of the Year Group Show @ The Peel Gallery- Carrboro, NC
2025, SOLO SHOW - Growths & Other Funkiness @ Fusion Gallery - Durham, NC
2025, Durham Arts Guild, Swing into Spring Art Auction @ Golden Belt - Durham, NC
2025, Durham Arts Guild Member Showcase @ Truist Gallery - Durham, NC
2025, Claymakers Annual Community Showcase (Group Show) @ Claymakers - Durham, NC
2025, a*peeling Annual End of the Year Group Show @ The Peel Gallery- Carrboro, NC
2026, Durham Arts Guild Member Showcase @ Truist Gallery - Durham, NC
2026, Fresh Show @ ArtSpace - Raleigh, NC
photography exhibitions:
2024, Overgrowth (NC Photo Group Show) @ The Northside District- Chapel Hill, NC
2024, Carousel Slide Show (Group Show) @ The Peel Gallery - Carrboro, NC
IG: @kaseysorreal
sorrealart@gmail.com
Want to book a photo session, collaborate, or inquire about custom pottery? Feel free to shoot me an email or reach out on instagram <3
