Peter Morgan
Artists Statement
My work is an exploration of issues of perception and representation and how these concerns mold our understanding of the world. I am interested in both actual representations and cultural perceptions of the way things are and what makes each significant. The work examines how much of what we know of the world is through illustrations and representation rather than from personal experience and the difference between ÒrealÓ versus simulated experiences.
The work is an investigation and celebration of cultural mythologies. I think of my sculptures as being platonic ideals in physical form. They focus on our ideal understandings and desires of these objects in our minds, yet they often bear very little in common with the actuality of these concerns.
I think of my work as being a conspiracy where everyone knows that they are not dealing with an authentic object, but something quite far from that. Yet the viewer is willing to suspend disbelief and understand the arrangement as a common experience. I am interested in how far I can push various modes of representation and for it all to be believable. Much in the same manner as a model train set, which has props that come from many different sources in different scales yet they are all understood as part of a believable scene.
Recently I have been incorporating a variety of scale shifts in each series of work in order to create both actual and falsely perceived spatial experience. I intend for the viewer to experience the work and the space simultaneously, oscillating back and forth between the singular object and the expanse of space the viewer submerges into an absurd reality.
Through the process of creating a sense of place I am examining ideas of a false sense of authenticity. In my investigations I am attempting to come to a greater understanding of a culturally understood place and time thereby taking some sort of ownership over it through creating an absurd and bogus personal mythology.
Education
MFA New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY 2005
BFA California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, CA 2003 high distinction, Major:
Ceramics
BA Roanoke College: Salem, VA 2000 cum laude. Major: Fine Art
Selected Exhibitions
“Small Favors” The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA 2012
“Color Me Bad” William King Museum, Abingdon VA 2012
“From The Wall: Stories Emerge” Angie Newman Johnson Gallery, Episcopal High School,
Alexandria, VA 2012
“Other Possible Titles” Grizzly Grizzly, Philadelphia, PA 2011
“Travel Size” Southwestern College Art Gallery, Chula Vista, CA 2011
“Hello/Goodbye” The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA 2011
“Method: Multiple” C. Emerson Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL 2011
“Dead Reckoning: Boats Buoys and Beyond” The Pier, St. Petersburg, FL 2011
“67th Scripps Ceramics Annual: Making Fun” (curated by Tim Berg) Ruth Chandler
Williams Gallery, Claremont, CA, 2011
“Pretty Young Things” Lacoste Gallery, Concord MA, 2010
“Something Completely Different” Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge MT 2010
“Killer Pots” Turman Larison Contemporary, Helena MT 2010
“Wings and Teeth: The Art of Doomtree” CO Exhibitions, Minneapolis, MN 2010
“The Travel Show” Dalet Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2010
“Artist/Educator” Rowan University Art Gallery, Glassboro. NJ 2010
“Mish-Mash Strikes Back: Contemporary Ceramic Art” The Noyes Museum of Art,
Oceanville, NJ 2010
“Something’s Fishy” (Solo Exhibition) The Arts Depot, Abingdon, VA 2010
“50-50-50” The Eclipse Gallery, Algoma, WI 2009
“POP Craft” The Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, MA 2009
“Appalachian Heritage” Blue Windmill Gallery, Abingdon VA, 2009
“Resident Artist Exhibition” Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT 2009
"I don't want to grow old and bitter alone, I want to grow old and bitter with you" Lux
Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE 2009
“Multiformity” Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ 2009
“Archie Bray Foundation at MonOrchid” Monorchid Gallery, Phoenix, AZ 2009
“Made in Clay 2009” Greenwich House Pottery, New York, NY 2009
“Tell Me a Story” White Plains Public Library, White Plains, NY, 2008-09
“SWAP Exhibition” SUF Gallery, Florence, Italy 2008
“The Greatest Show on Earth” Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh, PA 2008
“Lingua Franca” The Ellis Armory, Pittsburgh, PA, 2008
“Tarific Tar Pits” (Solo Exhibition) SpaceCraft Gallery, San Diego, CA 2007
“Sky Mall Exclusives” SCA Project Gallery, Pomona, CA 2007
“kilnopeniong.edu” American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA 2007
“Vestigial Gills” Butcher Block Gallery, Louisville, KY 2007
“Collaborations” Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, CA 2006
“50 x 50” Mass Gallery, Austin, TX 2006
“Alfred on 25th Street” J. Cacciola Gallery New York, NY 2005
“Raising Questions, and Lowering Expectations” MFA Exhibition, Fosdick Nelson Gallery
New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY 2005
“NCECA Regional Juried Student Exhibition” Baltimore, MD 2005
"WATER" Roanoke College, Salem, VA 2004
"California Clay Competition" Davis, CA 2003
“Terra Forma” Arts Benicia Gallery, Benicia, CA 2003
“Sense” Umbrella Gallery, Oakland, CA 2003
“The Cenozoic Collection” (Solo Exhibition) Center Gallery (CCAC) 2003
“United Cakes of Canada” (Solo Exhibition) Center Gallery (CCAC) 2002
“Bachelor of Arts Exhibition” Roanoke College, Salem, VA 2000
Awards and Residencies
Evelyn Shapiro Foundation Fellowship, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA 2011-12
Belden Brick Factory, Sugar Creek OH, Residency Summer 2010
Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT Summer Resident 2008 and 2009
Research and Professional Development Grant, Gettysburg College 2007, ‘08, ‘09, and ‘10
NCECA Regional Juried Student Exhibition Merit Award 2005
Bibliography
“Clay’s Good Humor” by Judy Seckler, Ceramics Art and Perception, Issue #87, 2012
“Pretty Young Things” by Christine Temin, Ceramics Art and Perception, Issue #84, 2011
“Playing With Fire” by Stacy Davies, Inland Empire Weekly February, 3rd 2011
“Method: Multiple at C. Emerson Fine Arts”, Up Front Review, Ceramics Monthly, March
2011
“Kitchen Table Politics” by Sarah Archer, American Craft Magazine, February/March 2009
“Feeling the Pop, In any Guise”, by Cate McQuaid, Boston Globe, September, 11th 2009
Collections
Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art, Alfred, NY
Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT
California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA
Robert Pfannebecker, Lancaster, PA
Jim Kolva and Pat Sulivan, Spokane WA
Jade Puget, Berkeley, CA
Kathryn Howd, St. Petersburg, FL
Katherine Rines, Bloomfield Hills, MI
The Red Bull Company, Santa Monica, CA
The Toki Collection, Berkeley, CA
Tina Turner, Little Rock, AR
Teaching Experience
2010-11 Visiting Assistant Professor, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg PA, Beginning
Ceramics, Large Vessel Hand-building, and Introduction to Drawing
2007-10 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA,
Beginning and Intermediate Ceramics and Introduction to Drawing
2006-07 Fulltime and Part-time Lecturer: Ceramics Department, California State
University, Long Beach
Related Work Experience
2002-03 Retail Associate / Production Assistant. Leslie Ceramics Berkeley, CA aided
customers with products and information, restocking and general retail procedures
2002-03 Ceramic Department Student Assistant, CCAC produced glazes, cleaned and
organized studio, kiln loading and firing
2002-Studio assistant for Jim Melchert assisted in the production and installation of work
and general studio procedures
Lectures and Visiting Artist Positions
New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University Alfred, NY (Lecture) 2011
Pitzer College, Claremont, CA (Lecture) 2010
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD 2010
Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ (Lecture) 2009
Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT (Lecture) 2008
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO (Lecture) 2008
Penn State University, Anderson Endowed Speaker, State College, PA 2008
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 2007
Ceramic Sculpture Intensive Workshop, Cal State Long Beach, 2007
Central Academy of Fine Art (CAFA) Beijing, China (Lecture) 2007
California State University San Bernadino (Lecture) 2006
Yellow Mountain Art Center, Big Sky, MT 2004
Roanoke College, Salem VA (Lecture) 2004
Curatorial Experience
“Dead Reckoning: Boats, Buoys, and Beyond” The Pier, St. Petersburg, FL 2011
“The Travel Show” Dalet Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2010
“Vestigial Gills” with Del Harrow, Butcher Block Gallery, Louisville, KY 2007
“Pandered Racehorses” Turner Gallery, Alfred, NY 2005
Download Resume Here
Artists Statement
My work is an exploration of issues of perception and representation and how these concerns mold our understanding of the world. I am interested in both actual representations and cultural perceptions of the way things are and what makes each significant. The work examines how much of what we know of the world is through illustrations and representation rather than from personal experience and the difference between ÒrealÓ versus simulated experiences.
The work is an investigation and celebration of cultural mythologies. I think of my sculptures as being platonic ideals in physical form. They focus on our ideal understandings and desires of these objects in our minds, yet they often bear very little in common with the actuality of these concerns.
I think of my work as being a conspiracy where everyone knows that they are not dealing with an authentic object, but something quite far from that. Yet the viewer is willing to suspend disbelief and understand the arrangement as a common experience. I am interested in how far I can push various modes of representation and for it all to be believable. Much in the same manner as a model train set, which has props that come from many different sources in different scales yet they are all understood as part of a believable scene.
Recently I have been incorporating a variety of scale shifts in each series of work in order to create both actual and falsely perceived spatial experience. I intend for the viewer to experience the work and the space simultaneously, oscillating back and forth between the singular object and the expanse of space the viewer submerges into an absurd reality.
Through the process of creating a sense of place I am examining ideas of a false sense of authenticity. In my investigations I am attempting to come to a greater understanding of a culturally understood place and time thereby taking some sort of ownership over it through creating an absurd and bogus personal mythology.
Education
MFA New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY 2005
BFA California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, CA 2003 high distinction, Major:
Ceramics
BA Roanoke College: Salem, VA 2000 cum laude. Major: Fine Art
Selected Exhibitions
“Small Favors” The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA 2012
“Color Me Bad” William King Museum, Abingdon VA 2012
“From The Wall: Stories Emerge” Angie Newman Johnson Gallery, Episcopal High School,
Alexandria, VA 2012
“Other Possible Titles” Grizzly Grizzly, Philadelphia, PA 2011
“Travel Size” Southwestern College Art Gallery, Chula Vista, CA 2011
“Hello/Goodbye” The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA 2011
“Method: Multiple” C. Emerson Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL 2011
“Dead Reckoning: Boats Buoys and Beyond” The Pier, St. Petersburg, FL 2011
“67th Scripps Ceramics Annual: Making Fun” (curated by Tim Berg) Ruth Chandler
Williams Gallery, Claremont, CA, 2011
“Pretty Young Things” Lacoste Gallery, Concord MA, 2010
“Something Completely Different” Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge MT 2010
“Killer Pots” Turman Larison Contemporary, Helena MT 2010
“Wings and Teeth: The Art of Doomtree” CO Exhibitions, Minneapolis, MN 2010
“The Travel Show” Dalet Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2010
“Artist/Educator” Rowan University Art Gallery, Glassboro. NJ 2010
“Mish-Mash Strikes Back: Contemporary Ceramic Art” The Noyes Museum of Art,
Oceanville, NJ 2010
“Something’s Fishy” (Solo Exhibition) The Arts Depot, Abingdon, VA 2010
“50-50-50” The Eclipse Gallery, Algoma, WI 2009
“POP Craft” The Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, MA 2009
“Appalachian Heritage” Blue Windmill Gallery, Abingdon VA, 2009
“Resident Artist Exhibition” Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT 2009
"I don't want to grow old and bitter alone, I want to grow old and bitter with you" Lux
Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE 2009
“Multiformity” Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ 2009
“Archie Bray Foundation at MonOrchid” Monorchid Gallery, Phoenix, AZ 2009
“Made in Clay 2009” Greenwich House Pottery, New York, NY 2009
“Tell Me a Story” White Plains Public Library, White Plains, NY, 2008-09
“SWAP Exhibition” SUF Gallery, Florence, Italy 2008
“The Greatest Show on Earth” Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh, PA 2008
“Lingua Franca” The Ellis Armory, Pittsburgh, PA, 2008
“Tarific Tar Pits” (Solo Exhibition) SpaceCraft Gallery, San Diego, CA 2007
“Sky Mall Exclusives” SCA Project Gallery, Pomona, CA 2007
“kilnopeniong.edu” American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA 2007
“Vestigial Gills” Butcher Block Gallery, Louisville, KY 2007
“Collaborations” Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, CA 2006
“50 x 50” Mass Gallery, Austin, TX 2006
“Alfred on 25th Street” J. Cacciola Gallery New York, NY 2005
“Raising Questions, and Lowering Expectations” MFA Exhibition, Fosdick Nelson Gallery
New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY 2005
“NCECA Regional Juried Student Exhibition” Baltimore, MD 2005
"WATER" Roanoke College, Salem, VA 2004
"California Clay Competition" Davis, CA 2003
“Terra Forma” Arts Benicia Gallery, Benicia, CA 2003
“Sense” Umbrella Gallery, Oakland, CA 2003
“The Cenozoic Collection” (Solo Exhibition) Center Gallery (CCAC) 2003
“United Cakes of Canada” (Solo Exhibition) Center Gallery (CCAC) 2002
“Bachelor of Arts Exhibition” Roanoke College, Salem, VA 2000
Awards and Residencies
Evelyn Shapiro Foundation Fellowship, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA 2011-12
Belden Brick Factory, Sugar Creek OH, Residency Summer 2010
Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT Summer Resident 2008 and 2009
Research and Professional Development Grant, Gettysburg College 2007, ‘08, ‘09, and ‘10
NCECA Regional Juried Student Exhibition Merit Award 2005
Bibliography
“Clay’s Good Humor” by Judy Seckler, Ceramics Art and Perception, Issue #87, 2012
“Pretty Young Things” by Christine Temin, Ceramics Art and Perception, Issue #84, 2011
“Playing With Fire” by Stacy Davies, Inland Empire Weekly February, 3rd 2011
“Method: Multiple at C. Emerson Fine Arts”, Up Front Review, Ceramics Monthly, March
2011
“Kitchen Table Politics” by Sarah Archer, American Craft Magazine, February/March 2009
“Feeling the Pop, In any Guise”, by Cate McQuaid, Boston Globe, September, 11th 2009
Collections
Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art, Alfred, NY
Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT
California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA
Robert Pfannebecker, Lancaster, PA
Jim Kolva and Pat Sulivan, Spokane WA
Jade Puget, Berkeley, CA
Kathryn Howd, St. Petersburg, FL
Katherine Rines, Bloomfield Hills, MI
The Red Bull Company, Santa Monica, CA
The Toki Collection, Berkeley, CA
Tina Turner, Little Rock, AR
Teaching Experience
2010-11 Visiting Assistant Professor, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg PA, Beginning
Ceramics, Large Vessel Hand-building, and Introduction to Drawing
2007-10 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA,
Beginning and Intermediate Ceramics and Introduction to Drawing
2006-07 Fulltime and Part-time Lecturer: Ceramics Department, California State
University, Long Beach
Related Work Experience
2002-03 Retail Associate / Production Assistant. Leslie Ceramics Berkeley, CA aided
customers with products and information, restocking and general retail procedures
2002-03 Ceramic Department Student Assistant, CCAC produced glazes, cleaned and
organized studio, kiln loading and firing
2002-Studio assistant for Jim Melchert assisted in the production and installation of work
and general studio procedures
Lectures and Visiting Artist Positions
New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University Alfred, NY (Lecture) 2011
Pitzer College, Claremont, CA (Lecture) 2010
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD 2010
Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ (Lecture) 2009
Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT (Lecture) 2008
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO (Lecture) 2008
Penn State University, Anderson Endowed Speaker, State College, PA 2008
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 2007
Ceramic Sculpture Intensive Workshop, Cal State Long Beach, 2007
Central Academy of Fine Art (CAFA) Beijing, China (Lecture) 2007
California State University San Bernadino (Lecture) 2006
Yellow Mountain Art Center, Big Sky, MT 2004
Roanoke College, Salem VA (Lecture) 2004
Curatorial Experience
“Dead Reckoning: Boats, Buoys, and Beyond” The Pier, St. Petersburg, FL 2011
“The Travel Show” Dalet Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2010
“Vestigial Gills” with Del Harrow, Butcher Block Gallery, Louisville, KY 2007
“Pandered Racehorses” Turner Gallery, Alfred, NY 2005
Download Resume Here