Artist: Patrick Rademaker
Patrick Rademaker, KENTUCKY
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My great passions in nature are water, color, fire, and clay. Individually, each of these elements invoke joy and excitement in me, but I also discover a deeper satisfaction when I can merge the essence of each in my porcelain creations. A unique characteristic of clay remains its ability to record various surfaces found in nature down to the finest detail. My current work reflects my love for wild spaces, colors, and forms in nature. In my artistic efforts I strive to capture the magnificence and subtleties of all these elements.
I love bringing fish to the table in a most unusual way. Individually formed, shaped, and glazed by hand—each piece is handmade from porcelain. At times, I begin making plaster molds and hand carved clay pieces that reflect the elements and surface textures of objects I find in nature, which retain the delicate and subtle details of my subjects.
Touching the piece while creating the object could diminish the subtleties of each texture. Therefore, in order to create a harmonious surface I carefully examine, select, and blend glazes. With form, texture, and color in mind, I remain meticulous about every detail of the surface image. My ideas grow and develop organically, informed by my love of fishing and nature. The colors and shapes reflect those of the fish I catch and release.
As a result, my finished product captures the color, variety, and essential subtleties found in nature. With each work, I strive to evoke the unique essence of the original subject, marrying nature with the intellectual and tactile reality of my creative efforts. Each piece is a reflection of my passions, vision, and spirit.
EDUCATION
2012 University of Louisville: Bachelors of Fine Arts: Ceramics
AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS
-1st Place Chemistry Division/2nd Place Overall: Louisville Regional Science Fair, 2008
-12th Place Materials Engineering: INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair, 2008
-Trustees Scholarship: A Four-Year Full Tuition Scholarship, 2008
-Hite Academic Scholarship, University of Louisville, 2010
-1st Place Overall: Kentucky State Fair Ceramics Division, 2010
-1st Place Overall/Purchase Award: Kentucky State Fair Ceramics Division, 2011
-Hite Academic Scholarship, University of Louisville, 2011
-Hite Travel Scholarship, University of Louisville, 2012
-Hite Academic Scholarship, University of Louisville, 2012
-Winthrop Allen Memorial Scholarship, University of Louisville 2013
-1st Place Overall/Purchase Award: Kentucky State Fair Ceramics Division, 2013
-2nd Place Overall: Joy of Drinking Exhibition, 2014
JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2014
“Biennial Cup Show”, St. Pete Clay, St. Petersburg, FL
“The Clay Cup: Vessel, Icon, Canvas”, University of Missouri, Colombia, MO
“The Joy of Drinking”, Phoenix Fired Arts, Joplin, MO
“KC Clay Guild Teabowl National”, Thornhill Gallery, Kansas City, MO
“Tabletop Ceramics Exhibition”, The Art League, Alexandria, VA
“International Cup Show”, Clay Arts Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
“2nd Biennial Mint Julep Exhibition”, Mary Anderson Center Gallery, New Albany, IN
2013
“Solo Show of Current Work”, Mary Anderson Center, New Albany, IN
“Serve it Up; A Functional Tableware Show”, Clay Arts Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
“Solo Show of Current Work”, Bears Mill Gallery, Greenville, OH
“Show Us Your Mugs”, Medalta Art Center, Alberta, Canada
2012
“Breaking the Mold, a 10 Year Anniversary Invitational”, The Weber Gallery, Louisville, KY
“Cups of Fire International Juried Cup Show”, The Clay Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
“Form and Function International Juried Cup Show”, Amelia Center Gallery, Panama City, FL
“Cups of Comfort International Juried Cup Show”, Halcyon Contemporary Gallery, Terre Haute, IN
WORK EXPERIENCE
2015
Workshop Assistant: Ben Carter, Kathy King, and Chandra Debuse “Potters Retreat”, Mary Anderson Center
Workshop Assistant: Justin Lambert “University of Kentucky Anagama”, University of Kentucky Art Farm
Workshop Assistant: Lindsay Oesterritter “Woodfiring Techniques”, Appalachian Center for Craft
Workshop Assistant: Justin Lambert and Logan Wannamaker “Ashfest 2015”, Finch Pottery
2014
Workshop Assistant: Lindsay Oesterritter “Cottonwood, Color, and Cooling”, Arrowmont School of Art and Craft
Workshop Assistant: Adam Field, Matt Long, and Kristen Keiffer “Potters Retreat”, Mary Anderson Center
Workshop Assistant: Justin Lambert and Logan Wannamaker “Ashfest 2014”, Finch Pottery
Graduate Lab Technician: University of Louisville Ceramics Department
2013
Graduate Lab Technician: University of Louisville Ceramics Department
Workshop Assistant: Brian Somerville “Building Large Figures”, Armory Art Center
Visiting Artist: Providence High School
Visiting Artist: Saint Xavier High School
Other
Studio Technician: Mary Anderson Center (Mt. St. Francis, IN) 2008-2010
Studio Technician: University of Louisville (Louisville, KY) 2009-2012
Ceramics Arts Organization Vice President: University of Louisville (Louisville, KY) 2009-2011
Meadows Pottery: Apprentice (Bardstown, KY) 2009-2013
PUBLICATION
-“Artist Reflections”: Crossings, A Crossroads Publication (Louisville, KY) Summer 2009
-“University of Louisville Holiday Sale”: The Cardinal Newspaper (Louisville, KY) Winter 2011
-“Staffpicks”: LEO Weekly Publication (Louisville, KY), September 28, 2011
-“Alumni Excel in Art”: The Challenge Magazine for the Center for Gifted Studies (Bowling Green, KY), Summer 2012
-“Ceramic Students to Build Kiln”: College Heights Herald (Bowling Green, KY) Fall 2012
-“The Collection of Esa Jaske”: The Journal of Australian Ceramics (New South Wales, Australia) November 2012
-“Artist Spotlight”: Pure/Uncut/Candy (Louisville, KY) May 2013
-“Local Artist Spotlight”: LEO Weekly (Louisville, KY) July 2014
KILN BUILDING
2015
Suzanne Renfro Wood Kiln
Matthew Gaddie Wood Kiln
2013
Indiana University Southeast Wood Kiln
2012
Western Kentucky University Train Kiln
Meadows Pottery Soda Kiln
Jonas Hurley Wood Kiln
David Waltz Gas Reduction Kiln
2011
BlackTree Studio Soda Kiln
Suzy Hatcher Soda Kiln
2010
Matthew Gaddie Train Kiln
University of Louisville Wood Kiln