Artist: Greg Cochenet
Greg Cochenet, CONNECTICUT
Artist Bio:
Greg Cochenet, a native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, is a ceramic artist and educator whose artwork is inspired by Midwestern agrarian architecture, and observations and memories of the landscapes where he lived. Greg earned his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2000 and his M.F.A. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2004. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States in an array of exhibitions. Cochenet is a professor of ceramics in the Department of Art and Design at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut.
Artist Statement:
My work is the embodiment of my observation and memory of the landscapes of which I have lived. Growing up in the Midwest surrounded by agriculture, agrarian icons became my vernacular language of self-expression. As urban sprawl invaded the landscape of my youth, I moved 400 miles south into the rural tip of Illinois. At this point my work explored the nostalgia for my Wisconsin home and its vanishing agrarian architecture. Through my work, I spoke of these changes in the form of dilapidated sculptural vessels influenced by silos, barns, and grain bins. After moving again, this time 1,000 miles east to the Atlantic coastline, my work has evolved to incorporate East Coast architectural forms and textures with those of the Midwest. Moreover, a focus on functionality characterizes my current work. These pieces are infused with memory and reverence: the once useful forms of the Midwestern landscape are reinvigorated, miniaturized, and refined into functional ceramic objects.
EDUCATION
2004 - M.F.A. Ceramics, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
2000 - B.A. Studio Art, University of Wisconsin- Whitewater
TEACHING
2004-Present, Professor of Art & Design, Southern Connecticut State University
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Present-2025 – Connecticut Clay Guild
- Budget Advisory Committee
- CT Clay Crawl Planning Committee
Present-2002 – National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA)
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2026 – The Potters’ Path – Studio tour and sale, Oct. 3 & 4 (CT)
2026 – Yunomi + Teapot Invitational – ClayAKAR (IA)
2026 – CT Clay Crawl – New Haven Pottery Studio, Studio tour and sale (CT)
2026 – Above Board Ceramics – A.M. Buzz Coffee/ NCECA Pop-up Exhibition (MI)
2026 – Cups and Reliquaries – Fisher Gallery, Farmington Valley Arts Center (CT)
2025 - The Potters’ Path – Studio tour and sale (CT)
2025 - Woodbridge Woodfire Exhibition – Buley Art Gallery (CT)
2025 - Will of the Kiln – Buley Art Gallery (CT)
2025 - Exquisite Forms VII – Charlie Cummings Gallery (FL)
2024 - Kindled Spirits – Good Earth Pottery Gallery (WA)
2024 - Cup: The Intimate Object XX – Charlie Cummings Gallery (FL)
2024 - The Potter’s Path – Studio tour and sale (CT)
2024 - Yunomi Invitational: Teapots + Yunomi 2024 – Clay AKAR (IA)
2024 - Ceramics Biennial 2024 – Guilford Art Center (CT)
2024 - Lost & Found - Drezner Gallery, Farmington Valley Arts Center (CT)
2024 - 78th Annual Connecticut Artists Exhibition - Slater Memorial Museum Gallery (CT)
2023 - CRAFTED - Society for Contemporary Craft (PA)
2023 - Yunomi Invitational 2023 – Clay AKAR (IA)
2023 - 3rd Annual Above Board Exhibition - www.AboveBoardCeramics.com
2022 - Cup: The Intimate Object XVIII - Charlie Cummings Gallery (FL)
2022 - SCSU Faculty Exhibition – Buley Art Gallery (CT)
2022 - 2nd Annual Above Board Exhibition - www.AboveBoardCeramics.com
2019 - Cup: The Intimate Object XV - Charlie Cummings Gallery (FL)
2019 - Drink 2 - Silpe Gallery Hartford School of Art (CT)
2019 - Ceramics 2019 - Guilford Arts Center (CT)
2018 - 22 nd San Angelo National Ceramic Competition -San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (TX)
2018 - Transformed by Fire: A Wood Fire Community - Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery (RI)
2015 - SCSU Faculty Exhibition – Buley Art Gallery (CT)
2015 - Somewhat Off The Wall - Gallery at EleMar (CT)
2015 - Inaugural Exhibition - James May Gallery (WI)
2015 - Yunomi Invitational - AKAR Gallery (IA)
2014 - CRAFTED - Society for Contemporary Craft (PA)
2014 - Ceramics Holiday Invitational Show - Art Essex Gallery (CT)
2014 - Drink! - Silpe Gallery Hartford School of Art (CT)
2014 - Twin Cups - Potter Fine Arts Gallery (MO)
2014 - Left, Right and Center - Humphrey Gallery (WI)
2014 - Box Pot - Susan B. Hilles Gallery (CT)
2014 - Artist Showcase - Art Essex Gallery (CT)
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
State University of New York – Geneseo
University of Arkansas
University of Southern Indiana