Conrad Vandlik

“Recurrent ‘Dinner’ Selection” is a stoneware collection created by Conrad Vandlik inspired
and influenced by the plant breeding intrapopulation improvement methods of recurrent
selection. The final stoneware collection is an interpretation of a testing and evaluation phase
from recurrent selection. The plates are reminiscent of differing environmental conditions, soil
type, and moisture. While two “soil” themes are present in the plates, each plate is individually
unique, much like natural gradation in the environment. The bowls resemble a cycle of tested
progeny. Looking closely all the bowls are slightly different, despite intentions for them to be
identically similar. When paired to its plate; shape, size, texture, and color variation are
reminiscent of genotype by environment interactions and plant growth. Looking closely, each
plate and bowl is etched with repeated, simple, outcrossing plant depictions along the edge;
strongly inspired by grasses. This presented collection is completed as a step, and is the
influenced product of a dozen unsuccessful attempts of thrown plates, bowls, mixed glazes; like
selection of favorable progeny in the field. As selected crosses produce favorable progeny,
favorite techniques produced and influenced the next favored stoneware and individual piece to
be a part of this collection.