Justine Ferreri

My Journey & Creations

I was born in Arumagawa, Japan and have lived in North Carolina more than half of my life. I consider myself a true blue Carolinian.

As a young woman, I studied art, mostly in the performing fields of ballet, modern dance, guitar and musical theater. Sculpture fell into my lap by accident…

My husband and I were in the hotel and restaurant business and I was decorating our restaurant in Wilmington, North Carolina named Justine’s. As the theme was an Italian festival, I decided to make full-scale papier' mache people eating and sitting in the restaurant. From those first pieces I was offered several commissions and then a local gallery asked me to exhibit. I evolved later into using polymer clay and finally to my medium now, stoneware. I am a self taught artist—never took classes. Most of my beginning pieces were learning disasters. I enjoyed the primitive quality of my early works not striving for perfection but for emotion. As I hone my craft I am always looking backwards to go forward. My works really do reflect my life. My feeling for the Japanese culture and my dancing can be seen in many of my works. My jesters and circus pieces come from living in Wildwood, New Jersey and the carnival atmosphere of the boardwalk. My sea creatures come from the fact I've always lived near water. All of my works whether large or small are all a part of me.

An avid reader and lover of Sci-Fi and foreign films, many of my works are based upon things I’ve read. I draw from my vast knowledge of mythology, legends, and my own series of unpublished short stories. Pulling from my constantly flowing imagination, I create a world in clay that comes to life before your eyes -- each sculpture becomes a conversation piece.

Below is a gallery of some of my beloved pieces. Each having their own unique story. I hope you enjoy this gallery and if any piece should interest you, please send me an email. Thank you for visiting.