Coil building definition

A hand-building technique employed to create pots.  Clay plastic "snakes" are formed, pushed and pinched to combine them into a pot. Sometimes the artist leaves the coil appearance to achieve a particular affect.  Ceramics created with coil building depend largely on the artist's hand to create the object's form vs. using a potters wheel or mold.  The coils themselves may be defined or smooth based upon the texture of the object or the intent of the artist.