Amy Goldstein-Rice creates fanciful, quirky animals and images in clay using brightly colored glazes and unique forms. Goldstein- Rice is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B. A. in studio art. In 1975 she joined the staff of the Spartanburg Arts Council as their artist in residence. During her years with the Spartanburg Arts Council, she conducted pottery classes, promoted the visual arts through the visiting artist program in the public schools and maintained a pottery studio. Over the past thirty years Goldstein- Rice has won numerous awards for her smoked fired ceramics. Her ceramics have sold internationally.
Artist Statement
“"The animal imagery had its beginnings with the birth of my son (Ryan). It was during those early years, that our house was filled with pull toys and spinning tops. We put away the classics to read the nonsensical stories of Dr. Seuss. We discovered the animated world of "Where the Wild Things Go". I was immersed in the wee world of children.
That was the turning point, from the decorative vessel to the narrative forms. I began to interweave folk tales and animal imagery from the Native American myths into my body of work. I choose certain animals, such as birds, wolves, bugs and domestic cats and dogs because of my Interaction with or ideas about them. I searched for the human connection: the vulnerability of the rabbit, the senses of family within the wolf pack and the basic needs of any mammal to survive.
The animal becomes a talisman that represents or tells a story of some little obsessions, ideas or concerns with a grain of satire. To this date 1 would like for my work to be described as narrative."