Nicole McLaughlin was born and raised in Massachusetts but spent much of her early childhood in Mexico. As a first-generation Mexican-American, her upbringing was heavily influenced by multiculturalism. Nicole is currently the Artist in Residence at Mudflat Studios in Somerville, MA and an Instructor at the Office for the Arts at Harvard. Nicole continues to draw inspiration from Mexican ceramics, textiles, and cultural traditions in hopes of showing how her life has been shaped by a collision of two cultures.

The vessels in Nicole McLaughli work are not meant as objects of utility, instead they serve as vehicles for fiber. Dyed in subtle gradients and earth tones, the loose threads are woven through the sloping ceramic edges and knotted in the center. As the fiber flows from, weaves into, or frames the ceramic, it distorts the functionality but becomes a meaningful component as plate and cloth merge. The vessels contain an expression of femininity and an essence of personal and cultural history.

The vessel, symbolically tied to the traditions and expectations of womanhood, acts as a canvas for a discussion between materials and processes deeply rooted in the craft traditions of Mexico. The utilisation of these crafts explores Mexico's deep class and cultural history. The use of fiber in combination with ceramic speaks powerfully to how we view utilitarian objects and the experiences associated with them. Symbolically, a vessel keeps not only the physical within but the ephemeral memories of life long after they have passed.