Randolph Joslyn Silver, Randolph Sill, Randy Silver, Randolph Silver

EDUCATION

1991 BA Economics, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California

2000 MED emphasis on creativity and ceramics, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1994 – 2009 Ceramics instructor, Montlake Community Center, Seattle, Washington

1997 – 2000 Assistant Director, Child and teen counselor, Art instructor, Hidden Valley Camp, Granite Falls, Washington

1998 – 2001 Executive director/founder, Open Studio, Inc., Seattle, Washington

2000 – 2009 Art/sculpture instructor, Seattle Center Academy, Seattle, Washington

2001 – 2003 Ceramics instructor, Pottery Northwest, Seattle, Washington

2001 – present Commercial Ceramic Sculptor and Potter, Seattle, Washington

2003 – 2006 Curriculum development, Ceramics instructor, The Center School, Seattle, Washington

2003 – 2009 Curriculum development involving ceramic activities, Giant Magnet/Seattle International Children’s Festival, Seattle, Washington

2004 – 2009 Ceramics co-instructor, Northwest School, Seattle, Washington

2009 – present Full-time Ceramics/Pottery teacher, Northwest School, Seattle, Washington

BIOGRAPHY

Randolph Silver is best known for large hand-build trompe-L’oeil sculptures often in the form of an industrial teapot resembling rusted machinery. Silver also creates wheel-thrown floating clay sculptures which contain silicone.  Silver came upon the use of silicone in clay while studying ceramics in Japan.

While the interior of the sculpture is traditionally glazed and fired in a gas-kiln, the exterior of the piece is coated with an iron patina and left outside to rust. Silver was inspired to do this work after a trip to a retired oil refinery and reflecting on the short comings of Western culture.