Stephen Wolochowicz was born and raised near Trenton, New Jersey. He holds a BFA from the University of Delaware (2000) and a MFA from Miami University of Ohio (2005). He has taught ceramics at institutions including The University of Notre Dame, The University of Central Missouri, and Central Michigan University. He currently lives, works, and maintains a studio in Ogden, Utah, where he is an Associate Professor of Art in Ceramics at Weber State University. Wolochowicz is recognized nationally from his exhibitions of artwork, conducting workshops, and presenting lectures at galleries, art centers and colleges around the country.
His current work utilizes abstract industrial shapes with organic features. Through the use of vivid color and textures, he adds a playful aesthetic to his underlying concepts. They deal with the human invention, environment and progress through networks of industrial themes. You can view more of his artwork at StephenWolochowicz.com
Artist Statement
The artwork I create is entirely composed of ceramic material. My constructed forms are derived from abstractions and draw from an array of thoughts and objects that include themes of industrialization, humor, games, politics and the environment. While I have these specific areas of interest that shape and define my practice, I find it interesting how a viewer perceives and interprets my artwork.
Using these ideas, the sculptures I create have a carefully crafted ambiguous quality. They resemble or hint at notions of transport, storage, containment or transformation. Although there are no moving parts in my artwork, I do imply an internal tension or kineticism within my forms. The inclusion of pipes or piping
suggest interconnectedness and connectivity. They signify the conduits that link humanity to my concepts.
It is intriguing to me how the use of color and texture in tandem with simplified forms can convey deeper meanings and retain aesthetic appeal. Incorporating vivid equiluminant colors with metallic surfaces seem to play off of each other in interesting ways. Notably, the contrasting tone of fun and serious.
I establish layers of content are through the surface treatment, construction process and form. While some are overt and others are buried, many clues are there for contextualization. For example, the post nuclear age green colored ooze in the pipes indicate what could possibly reside inside the forms. It can be positive or dangerous depending on one’s viewpoint. This is also true for the disk and bulb forms. They act as the storage or containment vessels of that substance. Some of the industrial shapes are derived and/or directly molded from things like clocks and smoke detectors- a reference to alarms and the concept of time or lack thereof. Additionally, many pieces have a white, black and clear dot within the field of color- a nod to a strategy game, like chess, but for me it is a metaphor for the human experience.
The Edaren Foundation Presents: Gumbo Clayfest 2023 returns to TASI when ceramists descend on Beaumont July 6, 7, and 8!
No admission fee required, any donations accepted.
For the workshop: I will discuss and demonstrate advanced techniques for coil construction and how to accurately build -to scale- from research/drawings.
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