Michael Klapthor

"I have a strong interest in figurative work, specifically using physicality to convey thoughts and emotions.  This has been a common trend in much of my clay work throughout my artistic career.  Each sculpture becomes a character that tells a small piece of their story. 

In my current series, I'm using altered forms from the wheel as my sole building material to construct sculptures that have a 1950's science fiction aesthetic.  The rounded, even forms I can create on a potter's wheel lend themselves easily to recreating this look, and the metal-rich clay and stains I use add rusty, worn character to each piece.  The result for me is a studio full of robots and ray-guns that I hope will resonate with my audience about fun and nostalgia, but also thinking of new ways to employ traditional mediums."