Elena Murdock is a ceramic artist originally from Westerly, Rhode Island. She will earn her BA in Studio Art with a concentration in Ceramics and a minor in Marketing and Art History from Salve Regina University in May. Murdock has been included in various exhibitions including The Newport Artist Collective Salon Series at the Brenton Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island and Turning Pages at the Mckillop Library Atrium in Newport, Rhode Island. Additionally, she co-curated the Fashion & Longing: Gilded Age Dress in New England exhibition at the Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery in Newport, Rhode Island. You can see her work this spring in the 2025 Senior Exhibition at Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery in Newport, Rhode Island.
BIO
The cultural and ritualistic significance of vessels drives my work. I explore the intersection of tradition and modernity by blending personal experiences with historical references, creating pieces that connect across time and cultures. My creative process is deeply research-driven, where I experiment with new techniques and closely observe the world around me. As a potter, I am drawn to clean lines, balanced forms, and utility.
I use clay to create forms on the pottery wheel or by hand/slab building. My approach is architectural in nature. Each piece is carefully refined and glazed, designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional, whether for use or display. In doing so, I strive to provoke deeper meaning through my creations, focusing on narrative and iconography. I have found a love for ceremonial vessels and architecture through recent travels and exploration.