Artist’s Statement
I am an explorer of human experience and seek to weave ideas together across a multitude of disciplines: mathematics, philosophy, architecture, and storytelling. I am curious about how we make sense of and navigate the world we live in. For me, it starts with the universal language of mathematics expressed through geometry and color. Shapes, patterns, and forms are at once both captivating and timeless; they distill complexity down to the essence. Geometric designs are prevalent across history and cultures; they are the repositories and conveyors of shared meaning – from inspiring baroque cathedrals to ancient mandalas.
To make my pieces I start by throwing forms on the wheel and then combining the forms to create a wide variety of sculptures and functional shapes. I use a vibrant palette of colors to bring out the particular energy of each piece which is fired and glazed until a rich colorful surface is achieved. For my sculptures, I seek to create a conversation between harmony and disharmony and positive and negative spaces, and to consider how the line of the various edges plays off each other so that the viewer is drawn to experience and discover each piece from all vantage points. My functional work uses a set of geometric forms that speak to the universal proportions that are found throughout nature and architecture.
Many artists and writers, including Sol LeWitt, Robert Smithson, Hans Coper, Brancusi, Mary Oliver, Joseph Campbell, and James Turrell, are some my most important influences.
Bio
Eric is a Tampa, Florida-based ceramic artist who began studying ceramics in 1974 and has a BA in Ceramics and Mathematics from Antioch College and a Masters in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University. He has been a professional artist since 1983 and has exhibited in galleries, craft shows and through commissions and wholesale venues. He has also had careers as a pension actuary, learning and organizational development leader, teacher, coach and healing center owner.