Red Lodge Clay Center – Short-Term Resident 2010
Born and raised in rural upstate New York, Ted has received degrees from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (MFA 1998), Utah State University (BFA 1995), and Brigham Young University Idaho (AAS 1991). After graduate school Ted taught as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He moved back to Logan Utah in 2001 to take the position of technology instructor and studio coordinator for the ceramics area at Utah State University. (2001 – 2006) His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions including: Earth Matters NCECA 2010 Invitational in Philadelphia, PA, Strictly Functional Pottery National in East Petersburg PA, Forms and Shapes: The Useful Teapot at AKAR Gallery in Iowa City, IA, NCECA Clay National in Columbus, OH, 2013 NCECA Biennial “Earth/Energy” Houston, TX, Feats of Clay XXIII at Lincoln Arts in Lincoln, CA, Ferrous – Solo Exhibition, Ann Miller Gallery, Wittenberg University, 40th Anniversary Pottery Show and Sale. The Art School at Old Church, Demarest, NJ and Functional Ceramics, Ohio Craft Museum, Wayne Center for the Arts in Wooster, OH. Ted is currently a studio artist, kiln builder, and has been a Professor of Ceramics in the School of Art at Ball State University in Muncie Indiana since 2006.
In all of my work one constant is my use of the vessel as a framework upon which to hang concepts of utility and self-expression. Specifically, my utilitarian work is most satisfactory when a single object occupies space as both a useful object and one that also embodies loftier ideas such as beauty, connectedness and shared kinesthetic experiences.
I explore consumption and the use of natural resources as themes in my work. I choose the ceramic vessel as a means to marry industrial form and surfaces with my thoughts about our consumer culture. I enjoy the interplay of roles between the utilitarian form as an object for eating and that of a conceptual vehicle for expression about global consumption. The objects serve as subtle reminders of the cost of the things that we use.