March 25 - May 3, 2026
Jeanie and Bill Wyatt Gallery
Reception Saturday, April 11th | 5-7PM
Jennifer Phillips, Ceramic Sculptor
Jennifer Phillips is the ceramic sculptor behind JP Menagerie. Her work focuses on small, fleeting moments in nature—an insect resting on a petal, a bird settling into place—bringing them to life through detailed, hand-built sculpture. Phillips thinks and works entirely in three dimensions; sculpture is where ideas make clear sense to her, allowing forms to grow intuitively as she works with clay.
Phillips began working with ceramics in the summer of 2023, when she took a pottery class at the Rockport Center for the Arts. What began as an introduction to clay quickly grew into a dedicated exploration of sculptural practice.
Nature and wildlife are at the heart of her inspiration. Plants, animals, shells, and insects often appear together, layered and intertwined, suggesting connection, resilience, and quiet continuance. Her surfaces balance careful observation with a touch of whimsy, inviting viewers to look closely and linger.
Phillips approaches each piece as an opportunity to explore something new, whether it’s an unfamiliar form, texture, or technical challenge. This curiosity keeps her work evolving while maintaining a consistent voice rooted in craftsmanship and wonder.
Living and working in the Texas Coastal Bend, Phillips draws daily inspiration from the region’s coastal landscapes and wildlife. Her ceramic sculptures reflect the rhythms and details of local nature, offering tactile, contemplative work that celebrates the poetry found in everyday moments.
Jennifer says, “I create ceramic sculpture as a way of understanding the world through form. My process is entirely intuitive; I do not sketch or plan in two dimensions. Clay allows me to think spatially, responding to shape, balance, and texture as each piece develops.”
“My work focuses on small moments in nature—subtle interactions between plants, animals, and their environments. I am drawn to the relationships that unfold quietly: a bird finding pause, an insect navigating a bloom, growth adapting to its surroundings. These scenes are often fleeting, yet they reveal an underlying sense of connection, balance, and interdependence.”
“Surface and texture are central to my practice. I use them to suggest time, touch, and the physical presence of the natural world, building layers that reward close viewing. While the sculptures are grounded in realistic forms, I allow space for whimsy and warmth, inviting curiosity rather than strict observation.”
“This exhibition brings together works that reflect an ongoing exploration of coexistence in nature—how life responds to, supports, and shapes one another. Each piece invites the viewer to slow down, look closely, and notice the quiet relationships that so often go unseen.”