Artist: Bradley Klem


Artist: Bradley Klem
Bradley Klem, PENNSYLVANIA
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My Father has told me many times that there are two types of people in this world; those who like to fish and those who like to catch fish. This articulation reaches beyond fishing. Preoccupation with specific outcomes hinders our ability to appreciate the endeavor. Beauty is an experience that is realized through both participation and observation and it is best when shared.

I use illustration in my work to express ideas about conservation and fishing. Ideas that I have in large part developed through sharing experiences with my father on the water and in the mountains of Northern Arizona. I pair this imagery with handmade pottery in order to exploit its universal familiarity and utilize the relationship we have with objects that inhabit our everyday lives. The illustrations become part of the overall experience with these objects and possibly even add to the conversations which may take place around them.

Carefully made pots create chances to momentarily decelerate our lives through their use. The user responds to an impression made just below a handle or wonders at the deception of weightlessness which a thickened rim can deny. I take advantage of these momentary pauses in order to allow the viewer to build upon a new experience with the imagery.

EDUCATION
MFA Student, Ceramics – 1st year, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16801

Bachelor of Arts in Art Studies, Focus in Ceramics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, Graduated May 2014

Associate in Arts Degree, Glendale Community College, Glendale, AZ 85302
Graduated December 2006

EXPERIENCE
(2015 – present) Founder/Director of GrowlerFest

(2014 – present) Ceramics Studio Manager; Instructor Mesa Art Center, ceramics studio; Mesa, AZ.

(2015) Ceramics Studio Technician Phoenix College, ceramics studio; Phoenix, AZ.

(2014 – 2015) Ceramics Studio Technician, Mesa Art Center, ceramics studio; Mesa, AZ.

(2010 – 2013) Lighting Technician, Subcontractor for Creative Designs in Lighting; Phoenix, AZ.residential and commercial lighting design.

(2010 – 2013) Technician, AVAI Ventures; Phoenix, AZ.

(2008 – 2010) Lighting Technician, Creative Designs in Lighting; Phoenix, AZ.
residential and commercial lighting design.

PUBLICATIONS
2016 Ceramics Monthly – September, 2016; Clay Culture: GrowlerFest; written by Amanda Barr

2016 Ceramics Monthly – September, 2016; Tips and Tools: Growler Lids

2016 The Growler – July, 2016; Art and Artists

2014 Ceramics Monthly – September, 2014; Undergrad Showcase

EXHIBITIONS
2017 Images on Clay – Victor F. Keen Gallery: Las Vegas, NV

2017 NCECA Student Juried Exhibition – Oregon College of Art and Craft: Hoffman Gallery; Portland, OR – Graduate Award for Excellence 2nd place, Aardvark Purchase Award

2017 5irst – Zoller Gallery: Pennsylvania State University; State College, PA

2017 Particularly Political: Humpday gallery; Pennsylvania State University; State College, PA

2017 Mugshot Monday – Lillstreet Art Center: Lillstreet Gallery; Chicago, IL

2016 Hand Candy: A Ceramics Lending Library – Penn State University: Patterson Gallery; State College, PA

2016 Cheers – Medalta: Yuill Family Gallery; Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

2016 Clay National XI: Intimacy of Scale – Carbondale Clay Center Gallery; Carbondale, CO

2016 The Second Annual Dirty South Mug Competition – River Oaks Square Arts Center: Bolton Davis Gallery; Alexandria, LA

2016 GrowlerFest NCECA– Lawrence Arts Center: Free State Brewing Company, NCECA 2016; Lawrence, KS

2016 Last Call – Companion Gallery; Humboldt, TN

2016 Twin Cups – Potter Fine Arts Gallery: Missouri Western State University; St. Joseph, MO

2016 Drink Me – Mariani Gallery: University of Northern Colorado; Greeley, CO

2016 2nd Biennial Wings and Water – River Arts Gallery; Prairie Du Sac, WI

2016 15th Annual ASU Ceramics Research Center Studio Tour and Exhibition – ASU Art Museum: Ceramics Research Center; Tempe, AZ

2015 GrowlerFest 2015 East – Featured Artist – Project Art Summer Gallery; Cummington, MA

2015 GrowlerFest 2015 West – Featured Artist – Eutectic Gallery; Portland, OR

2015 Graphic Clay: A Survey of Illustrated, Printed and Innovative Surfaces – Baltimore Clayworks; Baltimore, MD

2014 Seventh Annual Cup Show: Form and Function – Amelia Center Gallery; Panama City, FL

2014 Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics – Michael Seiler Studios; Zanesville, OH

2014 KC Clay Guild Teabowl National 2014 – Thornhill Gallery; Kansas City, MO

2014 American Potters – For the People; Phoenix, AZ

2014 Ceramics Showcase – Art One Gallery Inc.; Scottsdale, AZ.

2013 Bound & Combined: Variable Figuration with Rose Simpson – (group) Combine Gallery; Phoenix, AZ

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE EXPERIENCE
2015 Project Art 01026 – Short Term Resident, October 2015; Cummington, MA

2015 Mesa Arts Center – Resident Artist; Mesa, AZ

2015 Project Art 01026 – Short Term Resident, March 2015; Cummington, MA

ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS / LECTURES
2016 Xavier College Preparatory – Visiting Artist; Phoenix, AZ

2016 Mesa Arts Center – Artist Workshop; Mesa, AZ

2016 Phoenix College – Visiting Artist and Lecturer; Phoenix, AZ

2016 NCECA 2016 – Presenter, Blinc 20/20: GrowlerFest; Kansas City, MO

2016 University of Iowa – Guest Artist and Lecturer; Iowa City, IA

2015 Harvard Ceramics – Guest Lecturer; Boston, MA

2015 Project Art 01026 – Guest Lecturer; Cummington, MA

2015 Arizona Clay Guild – Guest Lecturer; Phoenix, AZ

2015 Phoenix College – Visiting Artist; Phoenix, AZ

2015 Queen Creek High School – Visiting Artist; Queen Creek, AZ

2014 ASU Ceramics Research Center – Tempe Festival of the Arts event; Tempe, AZ

COLLECTIONS
2016 Mesa Contemporary Art Museum; Mesa, AZ