Mitch Iburg’s studio practice is influenced by the earth’s geological record - specifically, as a manifestation of its ability to remember, rewrite, and inevitably forget the history through which it was formed. Translating this concept into his work by using foraged clays, stones, fossils, and glacial debris as tools for re-framing the volcanic eruptions, ancient seas, and ice sheets that have shaped the landscapes around him. Researching the diversity of Minnesota’s geological past has inspired a way of making that both embraces and challenges conventional ceramic traditions. In an effort to promote various materials along a spectrum of art forms, Mitch’s work frequently shifts between vessel, sculpture, and two-dimensional formats. Each body of work conveys a unique dialect within the larger language of geological history. Collectively, he views each series as a specific resolution to the tension between artistic intent, ceramic tradition, and the intrinsic properties of natural materials.
