Enjoy artist Gerard Justin Ferrari’s fascinating handbuilt clay sculptures, and see more of his whimsical creations by visiting his website.
“Horny Toad: Orphaned Teapot” Terra Cotta with Multi-Fired Surface, 9″ x 10.5″ x 9″
My family and I live in an old Connecticut farmhouse that we are slowly refinishing and modernizing to current energy standards. My studio and our house’s electricity are fed by the recent addition of a 6,000-watt solar tracker system.
“Construction Beetle with Black Tribal Tattoos: Orphaned Teapot” Terra Cotta with Multi-Fired Surface, 7″ x 10″ x 4″
In addition to making artwork, I am occupied as a stay-at-home parent, micro-homesteader, and an adjunct professor when positions are available. My family’s recent move to Connecticut has placed me in the hopeful position of establishing my artwork within the Northeastern art market.
“Critter with Crustacean Claws: Orphaned Teapot” Terra Cotta with Multi-Fired Surface, 9″ x 9″ x 6″
With an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BA from Berea College, I have reinterpreted standard clay forming techniques to create visually complex artworks.
“Dung Beetle with Death Head Moth Graffiti: Orphaned Teapot” Terra Cotta with Multi-Fired Surface, 8″ x 9″ x 6″
I make my sculptures by combining multiple handbuilt parts, which are each formed and finished separately. Then, I assemble the pieces into a cohesive whole.
“Rat Rod with Insectual Power: Visitor” Terra Cotta with Multi-Fired Surface, 10.5″ x 12.5″ x 4.5″
My art practice tends toward serials: I have created five series, all of which have different conceptual endeavors.
“Pleasant Pirate with Flower Power: Visitor” Terra Cotta with Multi-Fired Surface, 11.5″ x 11″ x 6″
I am currently maintaining two of these serials: the Orphaned Teapots, and my most recent, the Visitor Series, that like my other bodies of work, share a wide array of visual influences including insects, toys, mechanical objects, natural objects, masks and more.
“Planter Beetle with Pollination Powers and Ibibio Face Mask: Visitor” (Front View) Terra Cotta with Multi-Fired Surface, 10″ x 11.5″ x 6.5″
I view my sculptures as highly-crafted, complex, three-dimensional clay collages that embody disparate influences, forms and conceptual ideas.
“Planter Beetle with Pollination Powers and Ibibio Face Mask: Visitor” (Back View Detail) Terra Cotta with Multi-Fired Surface, 10″ x 11.5″ x 6.5″
I playfully construct my sculptures and painstakingly develop their surfaces over several firings, which results in personified individual sculptures with unique identities.
“Chrome Gnome with Regenerative Exhaust and Do Face Mask: Visitor” Terra Cotta with Multi-Fired Surface, 10″ x 13″ x 7″
The fact that I am alive is absolutely amazing. I try, everyday, to honor the beauty of my existence. My artwork is an active observation and response to the complex time and place in which I live.
Artist Gerard Justin Ferrari invites you to follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
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