Potter In The Wild: Ben Gufford

POTTER IN THE WILD: BEN GUFFORD

Learn the box to think outside of the box, and once outside the box look back to see there never was a box…

I was raised in a state renowned for its rich heritage in clay craftsmanship. Through my formative years, I had the privilege of studying under esteemed clay artists at the local, regional, national, and international levels. These immersive experiences fueled my passion for the art and craft of clay, prompting me to the level of gallery exhibitions. 

To hone my skills, I pursued a dual educational path and obtained two Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in 1999 and 2000—one in ceramics and the other in graphic design. Since 2001, I have been actively engaged in both creating art and imparting knowledge within the public- school system. Working with traditional techniques as well as exploring emerging mediums allows me to share diverse perspectives, blending the wisdom of the past, the spirit of the present, and the innovation of the future, both in my artistic endeavors and my role as an art educator.

Currently based in North Carolina, I derive great satisfaction from incorporating global influences into my work, expanding the boundaries of perception. It is my sincere aspiration that my creations not only bring joy but also inspire others. I consider it a privilege and honor to manifest and share my artistic vision with the world.

“I want to oppose the idea that the school has to teach directly that special knowledge and those accomplishments which one has to use later directly in life. The demands of life are much too manifold to let such a specialized training in school appear possible […] The development of general ability for independent thinking and judgement should always be placed foremost.”

Einstein on Education.

Hobbies: I enjoy going to the gym, cooking, landscaping, content creation, foreign policy, monitoring psychological operations from various governments, etc.

What music do you enjoy? The bansuri flute and shakuhachi flute suit me ears well. I have lived through many lenses of culture by listening to a wide variety of music.

What has been a potter meant for you? I took my first ceramics class in 1995. Since then, I have established clay as my medium of choice for reflection, and the development of my intuition.

Tell us about a challenge that you have overcome: My deepest challenges can’t be written about publicly until after I retire or my death. In the interest of preserving public perception, I have to wait until the time is right to be completely transparent. As with all things relative, perceptions are important. I can mention that my first marriage left an indelible mark on my life. It was the divorce and COVID that motivated me to push harder as an artist.
This push to understand, work and develop has since brought out the researcher, the philosopher, the writer, and the poet in me. I confront language, paradoxes of existence, perception, relativism as means for bringing forth the visions of Nietzsche, Einstein, Peter Voulkos, Schopenhauer, etc.
A wholistic view to what I enjoy most is developing Nietzsche’s “Perspectivism” as 21st century means of driving human intelligence forward. I re-term the vision, “Perceptionism”.

What challenges are you working on at the moment? I am still single after 5 years of divorce and do not wish to end up as Nietzsche and Schopenhauer. I would like to remarry. Bernardo Kastrup is one of my hopes, in that he is able to maintain a girlfriend.

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” –

Friedrich Nietzsche

Listening To (Most Recent): Bernardo Kastrup and Anirban Bandyopadhyay

Favorite Life Hack: I often wield perception to fend off those who dwell in ego and lack an understanding of the Dunning-Kruger effect. I present linguistic loops of paradox to those whom have not awakened to Dao and the Vedic understanding.

Do you collect anything? I have collected in the past. If I had a larger living space, I would be more apt to live according to a minimalist Feng Shui philosophy. However, my living arrangements are such that my ceramic work consumes most of my home. My current home and living conditions are ordered such that my home resembles a gallery.

What in your life do you find exciting at the moment? I will be doing some traveling this summer beyond my region. While sometimes I think I can see more of the world while meditating in my backyard than if I took a flight around the world, it will be nice to change my physical space for a time.

What are you most proud of? Pride is dangerous. I can entertain such notions of human emotion; however, I attempt to let such emotion go as quickly as it comes. Chasing and escaping emotions, concepts consume most humans’ lives.It shall be that one day, my mind can be free in the memory nature’s larger mind, to which human constructs are but just one glimpse to existence.

What is your greatest fear? While death-of-self-consumes most everyone, I am working to release from this emotion.

What motivates you? The materialistic, human and fleshly desire to find a companion by which I can share my personal space with is my motivating factor.

What do you dream of? I dream of a simple life to which I may share my presence with someone.

What are you limiting beliefs? Belief as a concept is most important for a human to exist. What the human believes in is irrelevant. Belief constructs the necessity, the purpose, the meaning that humanity needs to sustain. I believe in everything and nothing, which fuels limitations and the lack thereof. Regardless, Ido believe.

What make you feel alive? The possibility of love, the moments of love, the constructs of love. I have felt fleeting moments, and wish to know love as a daily presence.

What holds you back? I could say finances, I could say many things, considering that such a hold can be. My human biology creates spectral limits by which my perceptions are built upon. This can feel like an obstacle to the greater existence. Time, and gravity can feel restraining.

What advice would you give your younger self? Speak less, do more.

Who inspires you in life? I have had numerous inspirations. I can speak of one person that currently caught my attention. A Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. She is a mother of 3, bodybuilder, holds a doctorate in nursing, an aspiring baker and ambassador of Filipino foods to America and an intelligence analyst among other things.

Do you have a recipe that you would like to share?

I currently am exploring Asian cuisine more and more to include a wide variety of Korean, Indian and as of late, Filipino foods. I will spend my weekends traveling to larger more urban areas in my region where I can access these foods are a variety of formal and informal dining establishments. I shop the Asian markets in these areas and will bring home foods that I can prepare such gimbap, japchae, or bibimbap. During working days, I often eat a keto friendly diet of vegetables, cheeses, nuts and meats. My early culinary influences were driven by the American BBQ movement. I am currently eating a store-bought smoked brisket chopped and placed atop a store-bought Asian salad. I add sharp cheddar, and a few nuts along with an occasional diced fruit. I also frequently eat a cheese wrap to include meats, lettuce, and vegetables. No bread or tortilla wrap is used. Slices of cheese are wrapped around the meats and veggies to make a keto friendly and very delicious meal.

“Learn the box to think outside of the box, and once outside the box look back to see there never was a box.”

Ben Gufford