Real and Imagined
Real and Imagined: 2026 Gallery Exhibit at the University of Cincinnati, Clermont, Snyder Hall
This collection of 8 large vases was inspired by animals both real and imagined in dreams and nightmares. The vases should be viewed in sets of two showcasing the same animal in contradictory emotional states.
Vases were created in 2026 by Marie and Joshua Hamaker at their studio near Cincinnati, OH and fired in their woodfire kiln. Unique to wood fire kilns, the wood ash created in the fire super heats as the convection current of heat moves through the kiln. This super heated ash creates a glaze atop the other glazes on each piece, but only on the side in the path of the convection current. Pieces were placed into the kiln to take full advantage of this unique wood ash glazing and will show signs of this two sided effect to emphasize the theme of contradiction.
Asian Flying Fox
An angry Asian flying fox bat has been startled and perches on the side of a tan vase looking. Notice the two tone effect created by the wood ash as it moved through the kiln and how it adds to the unease.
Drips of green wood ash glaze move down the side of this pot.
How angry this Asian flying fox appears to be with bared teeth and raised ears.
$315
Two Asian flying foxes hang on this smooth tan vase resting.
One Asian flying fox is awake, sniffing the air, wings tucked as it hangs from the rim of the vase.
The second flying fox hangs mostly asleep, but with one wing unfolded as if waking.
$385
Squirrel
Quite a fight is playing out on this large blue vase textured on the shoulder. A Blue Jay hopes to capture a frog from an enraged squirrel; two foes in a battle over food.
The glazes chosen for this piece have reduced or turned red toned as they face the inside of the pot due to removal of oxygen by starving the fire of air. This color change helps to heighten the feeling of aggression, a fight for food.
$485
Notice the helping hand this opossum offers his squirrel pal. Two friends working together in the hopes of finding food inside this large smooth blue vase.
The red color on the squirrels belly, tail and face is created by starving the fire of oxygen in the kiln forcing it to pull oxygen out of the glazes in the pot leaving a red color behind.
The squirrel and opossum pair are hollow to reduce the weight of this light blue vase.
$475
Hippopotamus
A large brown hippopotamus does not intend to share its watery home on the side of this blue vase. The hippo defends territory against an invading glassy green alligator by biting its tail.
Notice the imperfect dents in the bottom bulge of the blue vase and how it adds to the feeling of fight and imbalance as two foes try to chase each other off.
The glassy green alligator jaws that hang off the side of this large satin blue vase are dwarfed by the size of the satin brown rump of this attacking hippo.
$475
So much movement and joy as a hippo mother plays with her babies on the sides of a smooth spiral rimed blue vase.
Wood ash glaze has created a steel blue metallic effect between the rump of the large mother hippo sculpture and a smaller hippo relief.
Small textured dots in sets on the side of the pot add feeling and depth to the happy water scene. Drips of blue over brown mimic light as it shines through water in beams.
$425.
Giraffe
A terrified giraffe runs from an attacking cheetah, but cannot help but risk a terrified look back on the side of this green vase.
The cheetah has gained the advantage by perching on the rim of the lumpy green vase over top of the tall giraffe.
Spots can only be seen on one side of the cheetah due to the wood ash hiding spots on the inside edge of the vase rim much like this cheetah hid from its prey until the last moment before it attacks.
$285
A giraffe mother shows love to its child with head down ready to lick the baby giraffes head on this green and blue vase.
No fear pierces this loving moment between mother and child, both focused on each other.
$315