Neil Tetkowski

1955 Born Buffalo, New York

EDUCATION

1977 BFA New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, New York

1980 MFA Illinois State University

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1980- 1983 Professor, Denison University, Ohio

1994-1997 Parsons School of Design, New York, New York

UnknownState University College at Buffalo

UnknownDirector, University Galleries, Kean University, Union, New Jersey

BIOGRAPHY 

Neil Tetkowski began his career making functional vessel forms. In 1980 he began making pieces he intended be seen as an extension of functional forms, but clearly not functional. He is known for his monumental wheel thrown wall-platters that vary in diameter from 34 inches to four feet and can weigh 125 pounds. This scale provides a large area on which to draw and sculpt.

Tetkowski studied with Val Cushing, Wayne Higby and Robert Turner in the 1970s at Alfred University.

Tetkowski uses a number of tools including a rail spike, wooden toy propeller and other found materials to incise and tear the surface. He began to cut slices from platters and assemble them to create a new body of work in which some pieces hang on the wall, while others were free standing sculptures. This body of work was built in such a way that the viewer could still see the original platter, bowl or charger form. The surfaces are completed with the application of glazes and colored slips to create a painting that includes dry flakey areas complimented by others with metallic sheen. In 1986 Tetkowski began the American Iron and Steel Series made by firing found metallic objects into clay.

He spent much of the 1990s creating a series of performance pieces that involved clay and choreography. In 1991 Tetkowski created Ground War, a performed artwork with clay, bullets, and live music.  This piece was later cast in bronze.  During 1999-2002, he realized his concept of creating the monumental World Mandala Monument. The piece was formed in April 2002 using clay from all the member countries of the United Nations. People from those 188 countries worked on the project. It was displayed at the United Nations, New York and several museums across the United States.

Tetkowski’s projects in clay are conceptual sculptures that focus on cultural, ecological, and geopolitical explorations.