artist statement
My work explores the complexity of human relationships and the emotional friction that arises from longing, attachment, and distance. I am drawn to the fragile spaces where tenderness meets discomfort, where intimacy can feel both sustaining and overwhelming. These internal contradictions often surface quietly, shaping how we protect ourselves, reach toward others, and understand our own emotional boundaries. I take inspiration from nature as a way of translating these experiences into physical form, using organic and naturalistic imagery to reflect cycles of growth and transformation. Through this lens, my work reflects on how relationships leave lasting traces, quietly molding and reshaping us through the connections we carry with us.
Primarily working with clay, my making process is very intuitive. I experiment with form, color, and texture to create a visual and tactile language that evokes a visceral connection with the viewer. The highs and lows of my human experience are directly connected to the visual language throughout my work. As I change so does my art, reflecting and archiving my perspective as a young adult trying to navigate a chaotic world.
biography
Ali Estelle is a ceramic artist based in Austin, TX. She graduated from the University of North Texas in May 2025 with a BFA in Ceramics and is currently a resident at A.I.R Vallauris in the south of France. Her work explores how we relate to one another, how we grow, and how we’re shaped by the relationships around us. She uses naturalistic imagery to visually express the complexity of human relationships and the internal struggle of conflicting emotions. She has been a part of multiple group exhibitions throughout the North Texas area and was chosen for a solo exhibition during her final semester of undergraduate study.
