Background

Serena Bates's newest sculpture, "I'm All Ears," captures a moment of intense alertness in a magnificent jackrabbit. The piece features the hare with its head charmingly turned, its signature giant ears cocked high into the air, a silent question hanging between them as it strains to pinpoint the origin of a distant sound. This stance perfectly embodies the creature's sharp sensitivity to its environment.

The sculpture's finish is achieved through the captivating and unpredictable Raku firing process. Originating in Japan, the Western Raku technique involves removing the glazed ceramic piece from the kiln while it is still glowing red-hot (around 1800° to 1900°F). The piece is then immediately placed into an airtight container with combustible materials, like newspaper or sawdust, and covered. The sudden lack of oxygen, known as reduction, causes the glazes to craze and crackle, creating stunning, iridescent metallic flashes and rich, darkened areas on the unglazed clay. The result is a unique, smoky, and richly textured surface that enhances the jackrabbit's rustic and wild nature.

The subject itself pays homage to one of the most distinctive animals of the American West. Jackrabbits are actually hares, not rabbits, and were dubbed the "jackass rabbit" by early settlers in the Southwest due to their extraordinarily long ears, reminiscent of a male donkey or "jackass." This name was later shortened to the familiar "jackrabbit." Bates's work celebrates the creature's most remarkable feature, transforming the "jackass" ears into elegant, sound-gathering instruments in a timeless pose of listening.

Material Raku Fired Ceramic
Size 16H x 15L x 10D