Alex Simon’s Ceramics: Normalizing Women’s Self Care

Portland, Oregon based ceramicist Alex Simon creates pieces that put women’s self care and pleasure at the forefront of her work. She does this by creating ceramic sculptures of everything from the Hitachi Magic Wand vibrator to lipsticks, crystals and comfortable high-waisted jeans, all objects typically associated with women’s comfort and self-care. Simon’s pieces remind women to prioritize caring for themselves in a society that often pushes them to put others first. This is why her work is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Gender Equality and Good Health And Well-Being.

After graduating from Visual Arts at Bennington College, Simon decided to move to Oregon and work in pottery studios. There, she worked as a mould-maker and slip-caster, experiences which allowed her to understand what it takes to create intricate designs out of ceramics. Today, she shares her complex yet refined process with over 150 thousand followers on Instagram. A platform which allows her to effectively campaign for the importance of women’s self-care, not just for themselves but also for their communities, and gender empowerment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health-care provider.” Following this definition, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a global medical-humanitarian organization, recognises the when women prioritize self-care, they can self-help, self-educate, and also self-regulate. This is why women must prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as it will help them gain renewed vigour as they carry on in a patriarchal society where everything from healthcare to workplace policies are made at their disadvantage.

One of the key artistic features in Simon’s work is that she has recreated everyday objects in ceramics, effectively raising the object’s material and emotional value. This strategy was also employed by contemporary artist Jeff Koons, who created balloon dogs out of coated steel. Again, what Simon has done is take these objects out of their everyday use and highlight their importance. She is saying loud and clear that these objects, and women’s self-care that they stand for, are indeed worthy of being revered as artworks are.

Alex Simon’s ceramics elevate everyday objects associated with women’s self-care, transforming them into celebrated artworks. By highlighting items such as vibrators, lipsticks, and comfortable jeans, Simon emphasizes the importance of self-care for women in a society that often marginalizes their needs. She underlines that self-care is not just about personal luxury but a vital component of overall well-being and empowerment.

Find out more about ceramics and other initiatives by Alex Simon by checking her website www.makegoodchoicesshop.com or Instagram @makegoodchoices.