Jason Walker

Jason Walker Contemporary Ceramics

View Jason Walker’s works featured on Ceramics Now Magazine

Jason Walker’s ceramic sculptures offer narrative in both two- and three-dimensional forms. Walker’s painted porcelain tells part of a story depicted also by the object and the actions it may be committing. While the relationship between nature and technology are common themes touched about by Walker, some more recent pieces seem more sociological. Ideologies aside, the sheer skill and technique involved is also worthy of note.

“The culture I live in does not emphasize our physical connection and dependence on nature. The current ideology is reliant upon technology, and it promotes disembodied activity such as television [and] computers… The gap between man-made and natural is ever increasing.

Light bulbs, plugs, power-lines and pipes that grow from the earth are common images found in my work, juxtaposed with birds, insects, and organic matter such as leaves and trees. Similar to the thinking of the Hudson River School of painting, I attempt to portray nature’s vastness and human-kind as a small proponent of it. Yet I draw the small things of nature large and the huge creations of man small. I want to show how we influence the landscape, or nature. My ideas stem from my own experiences bicycle touring, backpacking and the daily hikes I take with my dog.” Jason Walker

Jason Walker’s C.V. (resume) – View his works

EDUCATION
1999 – MFA degree, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
1996 – BFA degree, Utah State University, Logan, UT

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2002 – Instructor, Archie Bray Foundation, Intermediate and advanced Ceramics, Helena, MT
2000-2001 – Instructor, Napa Valley College (Ceramics and Drawing), Napa, California
2000 – Salt Fire Workshop-a collaboration with Scott Parady, at Scott Parady Studio, Pope Valley, CA
1999–2001 – Instructional Assistant, Napa Valley College (Ceramics), Napa, California
1999 – Technical Assistant, Haystack School of Crafts, Deer Isle, Maine;
– Assistant to ceramic artist Kurt Weiser
– Art 020, Basic Drawing Assistant Instructor, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA (taught two semesters)
– Art 280, and 020, Basic Ceramics, Assistant Instructor, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA (taught three semesters)
1998 – Shop Coordinator, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
1994-96 – Handpainter and Sign Maker, Superior Signs, Logan, UT
1995 – Glassmaker, Heritage Glass, Logan, UT
1988-94 – Head Billboard Painter and Trainer, Idaho Outdoor Advertising, Pocatello, ID

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2007 – Innovation and Change: Great Ceramics from the Ceramic Research Center, Arizona State University Art Collection, Curator, Peter Held.  
2007–2010 Travelling exhibition – The Diane and Sandy Besser Collection: A Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
2005 – 13 + 1: Chris Staley and Penn State Alumni, The Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
– SOFA Chicago, Ferrin Gallery, Chicago, IL
– House of Wonder: Surrealism + Still Life + Objects of Curiosity, Ferrin Gallery, Lenox, MA
– The Navigators: Art + Science + History + Travel, Ferrin Gallery, Lenox, MA
– A Tale to Tell, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
2003 – NCECA Clay National Exhibition, San Diego, CA
– Subject Me-Object: Autobiographical Ceramic Sculpture, invitational, Ferrin Gallery, Lenox, Massachusetts
– SOFA New York, represented by Gallery Materia, Scottsdale, AZ
– Taunt Fellowship Exhibition, solo show at ABF, Helena, MT
– Archie Bray Benefit, Gallery Materia, Scottsdale, AZ
2002 – ACGA Exhibitors Show, Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto, CA
– Archie Bray Foundation Summer Exhibition, Helena, MT
– Archie Bray NCECA Exhibition, The Cube Gallery, Kansas City, MS
– Strictly Functional National Exhibition, Lancaster Museum of Art,Lancaster, PA, received ‘Purchase Award’
2001 – Mug Shots invitational mug and cup show, Artworks Gallery, Bozeman, MT
– Archie Bray Resident Exhibition, Kova Gallery, Spokane, WA
– NCECA Clay National Juried Exhibition, Winthrop Gallery, SC
– New Works, invitational at the Odyssey Gallery, Ashville, NC
– Porcelain 2001, Esmay Fine Art, Rochester, NY; received ‘Jurror’s Award’
– Strictly Functional National Exhibition, Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster,PA
2000 – Napa Valley College Faculty Exhibition, Napa, CA
– Sonoma County Museum Invitational Exhibition, Santa Rosa, CA
1999 – Solo Graduate Thesis Exhibition, Zoller Gallery, SC, PA
1997 – Kutani International Decorative Ceramics Competition, Komatsu Dome, Komatsu, Ishikawa, Japan
– Strictly Functional Pottery National Exhibit, The Clay Studio, Euphrata, PA
– NCECA Student Show, Las Vegas, Nevada
– Utah Clay, Traveling exhibition, Las Vegas, Nevada (NCECA), Salt Lake City, UT, and Cedar City, Utah
1996 – Celebrate the Arts Exhibition, Alliance for the Varied Arts, Logan, UT
– Utah State University Student Exhibition, Logan, UT
1991 – National Scholastic Regional Art Show, Pocatello, ID
1989 – National Scholastic Art Show, New York City, NY

SELECTED COLLECTIONS
– Arizona State University Art Museum, Ceramic Research Center, Tempe, AZ
– deYoung Museum, San Francisco, CA
– Carnegie Musuem of Art, Pittsburgh, PA

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2004 – Art and Antiques, May 2004, “All Fired Up” Bobbie Leigh
2003 – Ceramic Excellence: Fellowships at the Archie Bray Foundation, monograph pgs. 3-4. Article written by Rick Newby titled, “Things of the Spirit: Jason Walker’s Interrogation of Technology”
2001 – Clay Times, March/April issue, pg. 16
1997 – Clay Times, volume 3, No. 5; pg. 17
– Kutani International Decorative Ceramics Competition Catalogue ‘97; pg. 48

GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
2002-03 – Taunt Fellowship Award, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena,MT
2001-02 – Selected as Long-Term resident at The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, MT
– Gallery Materia, consignment of work, Scottsdale, AZ
– Lill Street Gallery, consignment of work, Chicago, IL
2001 – Selected, Exhibiting Member with the ACGA (The Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California), San Francisco, CA
1999 – Mary B. Bishop Scholarship, Tuition waiver, Haystack School of Crafts, Deer Isle, Maine
1997-99 – Graham Student Fellowship, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA; awarded for two years
– Graduate Assistantship, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA; awarded for two years
1997 – NCECA Student Fellowship, One of three awarded nationally every two years; Japan study trip
Saga University Summer School Program, Saga City, Japan. Intensive language, culture and ceramic study; Full tuition scholarship provided by The Japanese Ministry of Education and The Association of International Affairs
1996 – Nora Eccles Harrison Ceramic Scholarship, Full tuition waiver, Utah State University, Logan, UT
1991 – 100 Mile Radius Academic Scholarship, Utah State University, Logan,  UT
– Hallmark Award Nomination, National Scholastic Regional Art Show, Idaho State Univ., Pocatello, ID
– Peoples’ Choice Award, National Scholastic Regional Art Show, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho


Visit the artist’s website and his profile on Ferrin Gallery.

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