Roberto Lugo

1981 Born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

2012 BFA Ceramics Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri

2014 MFA Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

2014-2015 PHD Philosophy Candidate Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

RESIDENCIES

2011 Tom Jones Residency, Clay City, Foley, AL

2012 Artist in residence, International Ceramics Studio, Kecskemet, Hungary

2013 Artist in residence, International Ceramics Studio, Kecskemet, Hungary IAH resident artist, Penn State University, State College, PA

2016 Guest Artist in Residence, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2016 Artist in Residence, Baltimore Clay Works, Baltimore, Maryland

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

2009-2012 Assistant Teacher to Paul Donnelly, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri

2012-2014Beginning Ceramics Instructor, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

2015Professor of Art, Marlboro College, Marlboro, Vermont

     2016--------  Assistant Professor of  Art, Tyler                            School of Art, Temple               University,     Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

BIOGRAPHY

 Roberto Lugo is known for experience driven activist surface narrative. Ceramic forms are often derived from classic Middle Eastern and historic ceramics. He uses various clays including stoneware, terracotta, and porcelain. His work is  thrown or hand-built. Typical forms include ginger jars, vases, teapots, and plates. His surfaces may be finished with slip, china paint, and lusters.  

 Lugo says, “I am a potter, social activist, culture-maker, rapper, spoken word poet, and educator. All of these roles that 'I am' are rooted in my childhood. I am from the ghetto; self-referentially I am a ghetto potter. The word ghetto can be a negative but I equate ‘ghetto’ with the word ‘resourceful’. Although my history is filled with adversity, racism, and sheer bad luck; I celebrate these moments in my work, I could not make art without the experiences they have offered to me.”