The work of stoneware potter Hadrian Mendoza is physical, and it is an interesting look into his subconscious. The abstract artist has exhibited his pieces around the world, and spends more than 40 hours a week at his studio in building 8 of Lorton's Workhouse Arts Center.
Mendoza's long-term goal is ambitious: he wants to leave the world with a lasting visual message.
"One of my goals as an artist that I'd like to achieve before I'm done is to use my art to do something positive for the community - how to make society better," Mendoza told Patch. "I'm still trying to figure out that concept, and to make such a statement you've got to be right on."
Mendoza, a native of Manila, Philippines, moved with his family to Arlington in 1980, and graduated with a business degree from Mary Washington College. But during his senior year at Mary Washington he chose pottery as an elective and was soon hooked. He then attended the Corcoran College of Art and Design and then apprenticed for a year under master potter Jon Petty John back home in the Philippines.
"I don't use many tools or molds, because each piece has to have my fingerprints on it," said Mendoza. "It's hard to become an artist. You have to give up a lot of things, like health insurance benefits."
Mendoza and John partnered in 1998 and created the Petty John Mendoza Pottery School in Manila, and operated it until 2008. Mendoza accomplishments include founding the Southeast Asian Ceramics Festival, more than a dozen solo exhibitions and contributing to dozens of galleries in the Philippines.
Mendoza and his wife and two children moved to Reston in 2009 and he was juried into the Workhouse in 2010.
"I think my favorite part is working on the wheel," said Mendoza.
"The most amazing part is that you can take clay from the ground, fire it and it can last centuries. It's a science as much as it's an art and for me it's like magic."
You can see the work of Hadrian Mendoza in building 8 of the Workhouse Arts Center.
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