Artist: Stuart Gair
Stuart Gair, OHIO
View Artist's Products
I make pottery that is intricately decorated and utilitarian in nature. It is important that each piece is approachable and highly functional to establish trust with the viewer and invite closer examination. As a student of history, I’m drawn to the essence of strength found in architecture, masonry and work that has endured through time. Surface treatment provides me the opportunity to explore these interests through the subtleties of architectural pattern, detail, and geometry.
I use form and surface treatment to fulfill my desire to investigate trends from both the past and present and relate it to my work. The linear lines, planes and dot patterns evoke a sense of strength and rigidity that are related to the designs and patterns of architectural elements that surround me. Sleek simple forms are a result of my study of mid twentieth century Scandinavian wares as well as objects made by the Shakers, both of which, are traditionally characterized as having a minimal and clean surface and form. The division of the planes between clean and textured surface is a way to accentuate the details and form of each piece and provide points of rest. The application of detailed patterns on traditionally clean surfaces creates a historical contrast that is present in my work.
My background in the study of History provides me with insight about my own work in reference to larger historical context. I find it deeply satisfying to create objects that can be used and enjoyed. The ideas of continuity and progress throughout history fascinate me and inspire my evolving aesthetic.
EDUCATION
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, Master of Fine Arts- Ceramics, present
Clay Club President
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, August 2013 – June 2013
Post-Baccalaureate
Ohio University, Athens, OH, College of Fine Arts, January 2013 – June 2013
Post-Baccalaureate
John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, College of Arts and Sciences, June 2012 – December 2012
M.Ed. Program
Ohio University, Athens, OH, College of Arts and Sciences, June 2012
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences- History
EXHIBITIONS
Second and Third Year Graduate Exhibition, BLUEorange Contemprary Art Gallery, Houston, TX, June 2016.
Lillstreet Art Center NCECA Expo Invitational, Kansas City, MO, March, 2016.
Heartland Table, NCECA Exposition, Cook on Clay, Kansas City, MO, March, 2016.
Let There Be Light, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL, December 2016
Gifts of the Craftsmen, Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, OH, December 2015.
Artisan Showcase: The Materials Collection, Sheldon Museum of Art, Lincoln, NE, November 2015
Cup Show Invitational, Studio 550 Art Center, Manchester, NH, November 2015.
Wrappable, Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE, November 2015
Thrown and Built, Gallery of Art and Design-Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE, October 2015
Fresh Perspectives, Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, OH, September 2015.
Salad Days, Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, Newcastle, ME, July 2015
Fresh Perspectives, Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, OH, September 2015
Watershed Invitational, Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, Newcastle, ME, July 2015
For You For Me, Prescott Gallery, Lincoln, NE, May 2015
Best of 2015 Exhibition, Ohio Craft Museum, Southern Ohio Museum, Mansfield Art Center, Columbus, OH, May 2015
2015 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition, Sol Koffler Gallery, Providence, RI, March 2015
Salad Days Alumni Exhibition, NCECA, New Bedford Art Museum, Providence, RI, March 2015
The Enigmatic Table, Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln, NE, March 2015
La Mesa, Santa Fe Clay, NCECA Exhibition, Providence, RI, March 2015
Selections from UNL Hixon-Lied Graduates, Prescott Gallery, Lincoln, NE, March 2015
An Exploration of Placement, solo exhibition, Medici Gallery, Lincoln, NE, February 2015
Recent Work 2015, solo exhibition, Rocketship Gallery, Lincoln, NE, February 2015
Functional Ceramics 2015, Wayne Center for the Arts, Wooster, OH, February 2015
Winter Exhibition 2014, Prescott Gallery, Lincoln, NE, December 2014
Wrappable: Art for Giving, Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE, December 2014
Holiday Exhibition 2014, Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, OH, December 2014
Holiday Exhibition: Selections from UNL Graduates, Gallery 9, Lincoln, NE, January 2015
Seventh Annual Cup Show: Form and Function, Amelia Center Main Gallery, Panama City, FL, February 2014
Red Clay, Rall Art Gallery, Crete, NE, October 2014
Carbondale Clay Center Cup Auction, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO, October 2014
Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics, Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, OH, October 2014
Making History, Eisentrager-Howard Gallery, Lincoln, NE, December 2014
Material Presence, Prescott Gallery, Lincoln NE, November 2014
Plate: A Celebration, Mudfire Gallery, Atlanta, GA, November 2014
NASAD Exhibition, Eisentrager-Howard Gallery, Lincoln, NE, October 2014
Best of 2014 Exhibition, Ohio Craft Museum, Phyllis Clark Award for Ceramics, Columbus, OH, June 2014
Shapes of Influence, Springfield Art Association, Springfield, Illinois, July 2014
Best of 2014, Wassenberg Art Center, Van Wert, OH, August 2014
Selections from the Best of 2014, The French Art Colony, Gallipolis, OH, September 2014
Winterfest 2014, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore Maryland, November 2014
Watershed Summer Exhibition, Watershed Center for the Arts, Newcastle, ME, August 2014.
Contemporary Crockery- solo exhibition, Moose Gallery, Knight Fine Arts Center, Hudson, OH, August 2014
Teabowl National 2014, Kansas City Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO, September 2014
Let There Be Light, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago Illinois, November 2014
Art We Use, Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens OH, June 2014
Lillstreet Gallery, NCECA Exposition, Milwaukee Wisconsin, March 2014
Medici Gallery Solo Exhibition, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
January 2014
Cube 4 Solo Exhibition, Ohio University, Athens, OH
June 2013
Juma Gallery 300 & Under, Shaker Heights, OH
November 2012 – February 2013
PUBLICATIONS
Ceramics Monthly Yearbook, Awards, October 2015
Ceramics Monthly, 2015 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition, September 2015
Functional Ceramics Catalog, May 2015
Ceramics Monthly, exposure section, December 2014
Ceramics Monthly, exposure section, September 2014
REPRESENTATION
Art Axis, artaxis.org, 2015
Rocketship Gallery, Lincoln, NE, 2015
Home and Closet, Lincoln, NE, 2015
Iron Tail Art Gallery, Lincoln, NE, 2015
Hutch Modern, Omaha, NE, 2015
The Pilgrimer, Lincoln, NE, 2014-2015
Lux Art Center, Lincoln, NE 2014-2015
AWARDS
Warren MacKenzie Advancement Award, Northern Clay Center, 2015