Figurative Ceramics

Featuring Steve Gardner

June 1-26, 2010 | Artist’s Reception: Wednesday, June 2nd, 5-7 pm

Hand-carved from terra cotta slabs stomped out on his studio floor, Gardner's sculptures are colored with ceramic slips.  After drying and bisque firing, subsequent layers of glaze are applied and fired to fuse together for a rich finish.

Steve Gardner studied art and biology at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, then received his M.F.A. in ceramic sculpture from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. His three-dimensional work is sculpted in architectural terra cotta, utilizing traditional techniques with new innovations in surface color. Both his gallery work and his architectural commissions focus on the human figure, surface pattern, and a sense of story. Installations of his sculptures can be seen at SeaTac International Airport, SeaTac, WA; the Snohomish Library, Snohomish, WA; the Vancouver School for the Blind, Vancouver, WA; King County Metro (Ballard Hub shelters, 23rd St. and Yesler Ave. shelters) Seattle, WA; the Denali Lodge, Denali, AK; The Florist Building, Corvallis and the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Salem, Oregon.

Steven lives in Seattle with his wife and two children.

Bird in the Thorns Blackbird Boat Boy Fig 3A Glass Dream Mortal Coil Sinking Man in Red Boat Sleeping Woman Sleeping Woman With Bird Screen Steve Gardner show Steven Gardner Wall The Dream The Wind in the Wires side 2 The Wind Through the Wires side 1