Aimee Marcinko’s ceramic sculptures look like something you might encounter miles under the ocean or in the heart of an unexplored jungle. The glowing porcelain forms she crafts evoke crawling microorganisms, carnivorous plants and unfamiliar ecosystems.

Marcinko is a new instructor of ceramics at the University of South Carolina. She draws inspiration from the patterns, shapes and systems found in nature to explore how people perceive and connect with the world around them. She creates interactive sculptures and installations by using light, organic forms and patterns reminiscent of everything from camouflage and wood grain to bubbles and mineral deposits.

She has exhibited her work across the country and completed artist residencies from Arizona and California to Jingdezhen, China. She is an artist and educator with an MFA in ceramics from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in art education from Arizona State University whose work has been featured in numerous juried exhibitions.

Marcinko recently shared more about how living in the Arizona desert transformed her relationship with nature, why experimentation is central to her classroom and studio practice, and what she’s discovering in her new surroundings at USC.

Q: How are you settling in at USC and in Columbia?

So far, I am enjoying the welcoming atmosphere of USC and getting to know the department. Columbia has been a big change from Phoenix, Arizona, but I’m starting to feel more at home and enjoying exploring the forested area. I am missing the desert sunsets, but I would take the humidity over the dry heat any day. I found a lovely home in the Shandon neighborhood and my neighbors have been so friendly! It’s been a busy transition, but overall, it’s been a positive experience so far.

Q: What first sparked your interest in your research area?

I started exploring ceramics when I was just a kid, and I have been a potter and sculptor ever since. My work has evolved into a narrative that explores human connection with the natural world. This began when I left the metropolitan city and spent three years living in a small desert community where we lived and worked closely with the natural world. I woke up to deer and javelinas [wild pigs] peering through my windows and walked alongside tarantulas and rattlesnakes on my way to work. Life slowed down, and I began to see the natural world with a sense of curiosity and wonder. This experience continues to inspire my work, which seeks to ignite that same sense of wonder and excitement about the strange, beautiful and often overlooked forms of nature.

Q: How would you describe your research to someone new to the field?

My research explores human relationships with the natural world through interactive ceramic sculpture and installation. I’m particularly interested in the strange and often overlooked patterns, forms and systems found in nature, particularly in biological structures. I use illuminated porcelain to sculpt biomorphic [nature-inspired abstract shapes] forms that invite viewers to slow down, look closely and reconsider how we understand and connect with the natural world.

Q: What is your approach to teaching and doing research?

My approach to both teaching and research is rooted in curiosity, experimentation and hands-on learning. In the classroom, I encourage students to explore materials through making, problem-solving and experimentation rather than focusing only on a predetermined outcome. We play before we get serious. I see teaching as a collaborative process in which students develop ideas, communicate with peers and learn to think critically about their work.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences so far?

My favorite thing so far has been seeing the incredible work the students are producing. Their dedication to their studio practice and the amount of time and energy they put into developing their work has really impressed me. It’s something I haven’t experienced to the same degree at previous institutions, and it has been exciting to be part of that environment.

Q: What do you enjoy outside of work?

I enjoy spending time on a new trail with my dog, gardening and taking care of my ever-growing collection of house plants. I’m slowly turning my new home into a little jungle, and when I have the time, I enjoy working on my own artwork as well. I also love trail running, exploring new outdoor places and discovering coffee shops around Columbia.