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" by artist Gerard Justin Ferrari. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/4.-OT-Horny-Toad-2.jpg)
“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" by artist Gerard Justin Ferrari. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/1.-OT-Construction-Beetle-2.jpg)
“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" by artist Gerard Justin Ferrari. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/3.-OT-Critter-w-Crustation-Claws-2.jpg)
“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" by artist Gerard Justin Ferrari. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2.-OT-Dung-Beetle-Teapot-2.jpg)
“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" by artist Gerard Justin Ferrari. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/5.-V-Rat-Rod-with-Insectual-Powers-2.jpg)
“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" by artist Gerard Justin Ferrari. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/6.-V-Pleasant-Pirate-2.jpg)
“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" by artist Gerard Justin Ferrari. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/7.-V-Planter-Beetle-Front-2.jpg)
“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" by artist Gerard Justin Ferrari. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/8.-V-Planter-Beetle-Back-2.jpg)
“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" by artist Gerard Justin Ferrari. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/9.-V-Chrome-Gnome-2.jpg)
“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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