Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Kowalczyk.
Tim, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I come from a blue collar family. My grandfather, father, brother (for a short time) and at least 3 cousins all worked in the same cardboard factory. I did what anyone would do and I went to art school and worked in a warehouse storing the boxes my family made. When it came to thesis time it only seemed natural to think about cardboard as a subject matter.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I make stuff out of stuff that looks like other stuff.
I meticulously recreate garbage out of clay to the point that only touch allows the user or viewer to discern real from ceramic. Through a variety of hand building methods I use clay, underglaze and glaze to create my objects.
I want people to see the pathetic absurd poetic nature of materials and objects in the everyday surroundings. I want the viewer or user to think about the rips, tears, labels, paint splatters, scribbles and stains and think about the history of that object and the journey it has been on. My job is to recreate those surface qualities and have the viewer/user create their own narrative of how that object came into existence.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Participate in social media. Instagram is my favorite. Go to conventions, art openings, workshops, demonstrations, form groups (Mo Fauxs. Brett Kern, Mitchell Spain and myself) and participate in smaller communities like the Michiana Woodfiring in Goshen, IN. COLLABORATE WITH OTHER ARTISTS!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can follow me on social media or visit one of three galleries on the internet or at their physical locations and purchase work.
blackbookgallery.com in Denver, CO
companiongallery.com in Humboldt, TN
or eutecticgallery.com in Portland, OR
Contact Info:
- Website: timsceramics.com
- Email: tkowa78@gmail.com
- Instagram: @timsceramics
- Facebook: @tim’s ceramics
- Twitter: @timsceramics
Image Credit:
Eric Botbyl
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
