Opening Reception: Brandon Reese: New Ceramic Works

Artist, Brandon Reese, works primarily with stoneware and porcelain. He received his BFA in sculpture from the Kansas City Art Institute where he became proficient in bronze, cast iron, steel, wood and ceramics. While in Kansas City he apprenticed with Jim Leedy until pursuing a graduate degree specializing in ceramics at Bowling Green State University. There, he had the privilege of working with artists Jun Kaneko, Don Reitz and Peter Voulkos. While at Bowling Green, he focused on salt and wood firing for creating unusual and varied surfaces on each sculpture. Upon graduation, Reese was hired by Oklahoma State University as an assistant professor of its newly expanded ceramics department. In addition to teaching, Reese regularly exhibits his large-scale ceramic sculptures. His work has been exhibited in Germany, and Taiwan. Galleries all across the United States represent his work. Additionally, Brandon creates corporate and private commissioned work for high profiled celebrities and clients. He also is a part of several permanent museum collections. Although most of Reese’s exhibitions are ceramic sculpture, he balances teaching the hand-building techniques with wheel throwing pottery and functional vessels.

Reese’s work is predominately known for their simple, familiar forms created in a variety of methods and at such large scales that they push the traditional boundaries of ceramic art. His sculptures playfully and beautifully express the idea that relationships offer a unique ability to enhance the individual elements while simultaneously unifying them to create a powerfully emotional and visual experience.