About the Artist
Lauren Dietrich is a ceramic artist based in Erie, Pennsylvania. She holds a BS in Psychology, a BFA in Ceramics, and a minor in Illustration from PennWest Edinboro University. She currently works as a studio technician in the Edinboro ceramics department, where she continues to develop her portfolio while remaining actively engaged in the campus studio community.
Her sculptural work explores her lived experience with Type 1 diabetes, using ceramic forms that reference food, particularly sweets and desserts, to examine themes of indulgence, restriction, control, and care. Her work uses familiar imagery to prompt reflection on how chronic conditions are understood and represented.
Statement
My artwork is deeply influenced by my experiences living with Type 1 Diabetes and the profound impact it has had on my relationship with food. My work explores both my own perceptions and others' misconceptions of diabetes, challenges stereotypes, and highlights the nuanced realities of living with the condition.
Art has been a vital means for me to come to terms with my chronic illness, explore my complex relationship with food, and ultimately feel more at ease in my body. Working with clay closely parallels living with diabetes; both are unpredictable processes that require patience, flexibility, and continual adjustment. The pursuit of balance in my studio mirrors the ongoing effort to manage my condition, shaping my practice and teaching me perseverance, adaptability, and an appreciation for the beauty found within process. While my diagnosis is permanent, the evolving nature of my ideas, emotions, and experiences is continuously expressed through my artwork.
