Artist Statement

I am primarily a brick sculptor. Using this humble everyday material to create public art connects with a wide audience, particularly in the brick-centric East Coast. We all know what that small rectangular unit is, therefore if it is manipulated, it can become a good vehicle for metaphor.

I create sculpture that treats this building unit as a sculptural medium, synthesizing it with elements in the natural landscape, thus making a strong connection between the urban and the natural environments. With the inclusion of glaze, and if its clay nature is emphasized, the resulting sculptural possibilities can be much more varied and exciting than is usually seen. For example, a brick sculpture can, without relying solely on direct representation, express concepts of being altered by water, growing out of the ground, community, the passing of time or a feeling of exuberance and movement. During my career I have completed sculptures that have expressed each of these concepts.

I have completed a number of medium to large scale projects, these have all been specific to a given site, and have stood the test of time in various harsh climates from Florida's East Coast to the upper Midwest and Upstate New York.

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Artist Biography

I am a ceramic sculptor. I use either bricks or ceramic sherds to create art. I am originally from Portsmouth, England, where I worked as a gardener for twelve years before studying to become an artist. I completed my BA (Hons) in Ceramics at The Polytechnic Wolverhampton UK in 1988, was at The Clay Studio, Philadelphia from 1988 till 1991, and received my MFA in Ceramics at University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1993. I have completed brick sculptures for both public and private clients throughout the USA and UK. I live in Kensington, Philadelphia, where I continue to make a living as a practicing artist, also teaching ceramic sculpture at Rutgers University.

My work is largely commission based. Some of my major recent commissions are; “Philadelphia Earth”, Philadelphia PA Airport, “Frankford Gateway”, Philadelphia PA, “Hornets Nest”, Arts and Science Council, Charlotte NC, “Convergence” 2015 Blue Barn Theatre, Omaha NE, “Arches of Resurgence”, SEPTA Philadelphia PA, “27th Street Hearth”, City of Lincoln NE, “Memory Wall”, Nashville NE.

My work has been featured in a number of publications such as Neue Keramik, American Craft, Ceramics Monthly, Landscape Architecture, Rockland Magazine and Dallas Morning News.

It has often occurred to me that I have become pretty good at something that I have made up.

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Awards and Honors

2014
Franz & Virginia Bader Fund

2010
Nebraska Arts Council Grant

1993
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Vreeland Award for Graduate Studies

1989
American Clay Artists, Port of History Museum, Philadelphia, PA
First Prize

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Bibliography

2018
Clark, James, Neue Keramik, October - November

2016
SMART Dynamics of Masonry, February

2011
Grande, John, American Craft, April-May

2009
Pagel, Anne, L Magazine, October

2008
"Public Art, A World's Eye View," International Creators Organization, p. 366-9

2007
Article, Ceramics Monthly, November

Saunders, Lisa, Rockland Magazine, February

2005
Gamucio, Ron X., Rockland County Journal News, July 8

Geske, Norman, Landscape Architecture, May

2002
Heeney, Gwen, Brickworks, p. 96-8

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Collection

2019
Resurgam, Philadelphia, PA

2017
Somerset Hub, Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Growth Wall, John Carlano, Philadelphia, PA

2015
Hornet's Nest, Westover Police Station, Charlotte, NC

Convergence, Blue Barn Theatre, Omaha, NE

2013
Arches of Resurgence, 33rd & Dauphin Street Bus Loop, Philadelphia, PA

2012
27th St Hearth, 27th St Plaza, Lincoln, NE

Thames Wall 2, Sara Hill, London, UK

2011
Bench, Orianna Hill Park, Philadelphia, PA

3 Worlds, Philadelphia Magic Gardens, Philadelphia, PA

2010
Pompey Chair, Monica Halley, Portsmouth, UK

2009
Memory Wall, William & Lisa Roskens, Nashville, NE
House façade, foundation & fireplace

Outdoor Classroom Art Area, Dimensions Research Foundation, Lincoln, NE

2008
Human Landscape #2, Northrup Design, Lincoln, NE

2007
Ethereal Wall #2, Northrup Design, Lincoln, NE

2006
Messy Area, Dimensions Learning Foundation, Lincoln, NE

Ethereal Wall #1, Hilda Raz, Lincoln, NE

Here #1, Dr. Sanford Grossbart, Lincoln, NE

Site Anchor, Ken & Kathryn Govaerts, Lincoln, NE

2005
Haverstraw Trophy, Rockland County AIPP, Haverstraw, NY

Silo, William & Lisa Roskens, Nashville, NE

2004
Brick Transition, Dakota State University, Madison, SD

2001
Spring Valley Terms, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Richardson, TX

Yoke, Dr. Sanford Grossbart, Lincoln, NE

1999
Tide Clock, Community Redevelopment Agency, New Smyrna Beach, FL

Seven Herms, Near South Neighborhood Ass'n, Lincoln, NE

Librating Bench, Dr. Robert Synhorst, Lincoln, NE

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Professional Experience
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Competitions

2017
Liberty Warehouse Wall, Durham, NC
Finalist

2014
Westover Police Station, Charlotte, NC
Commission Awarded

Blue Barn Theatre, Omaha, NE
Commission Awarded

2012
33rd St & Dauphin Bus Loop, Philadelphia, PA
Commission Awarded

2011
Cheltenham/Ogontz Bus Loop, Philadelphia, PA
Finalist

2010
Eastern Plaza, Lancaster, PA
Finalist

Exhibitions

2024
Hearth, Frame, Foundation, InLiquid/Park Towne Place, Philadelphia, PA

2020
Sculpture in the Glen II, InLiquid @ The Glen, Gladwyne, PA

2019
5 Philly Artists, Isaiah Zagar's Studio, Philadelphia, PA

Sculpture in the Glen, InLiquid @ The Glen, Gladwyne, PA

2017
Philadelphia Assembled, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

2016
Like Talking to a Brick Wall, NCECA, Kansas City, MO

2015
Pearl Street SHIFT Installation, Design Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

2013
Catagenesis Installation, Globe Dye Works, Philadelphia, PA

2011
Another Nebraska, Bemis Center for the Arts, Omaa, NE