This clay was harvested from Suck Creek during March 2026. During my exploration with local materials, the idea of taking from the land has felt unjust to the sanctuary the creek has been to me the past year. In efforts for continued equity between the world around and my ceramic practice, I have dedicated time to trash pick up in return for the weight of clay I take. Normally ensuring I take small quantities, 10lbs or less, and from clay sources that are near surface. This feels like the best way to ensure I am not negatively impacting the earth that feels so sacred.

This tunnel book is my first experimentation in narrative work with this local material and one I want to continue to explore.

Pictured is Abel searching the beds for hagstones, rocks with holes all the way through, at the same creek section the clay was dug from. This hagstone was found on their birthday and the thread keeps the tunnel book bound.