Viken Peltekian

medium: ceramics

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Vase 2009 Ceramics	Vase 2009 Ceramics	Vase 2010 Ceramics
Bottle 2010 Ceramics	Cylinder Vase 2009 Ceramics	Vase 2008 Ceramics
Bottle 2010 Ceramics	Vase 2009 Ceramics	Cylinder Vase 2009 Ceramics
Vase 2008 Ceramics

Contact information
Artist resides in: Ashland, WI
Email Address: vpeltekian@yahoo.com

Artist statement
My current work reflects the two directions that I find exciting and challenging, one more sculptural and the other vessel-based. The ceramic medium has the ability to connect to creative traditions and enables me the opportunity to explore the relationship of both form and purpose. Even though I consider myself a sculptor as well as a potter, my sculptural aesthetic concerns are reflected in my ceramic works in form and surface textures. The making of my work combines both sculptural and wheel-thrown elements and processes; and in doing so releases me from the functional tradition of ceramics while at the same time alluding to it.

These ceramic pieces are wood-fired in both a traditional Anagama-style climbing kiln and also hybrid wood-fired kilns. For the most part my glaze palette is limited to Shino type glazes, wood ash glazes or simply unglazed. The resulting pieces show a range of colors based on the amount of reduction in the kiln atmosphere and the amount of ash that falls on the work.

My esthetics reflect living in the woods, which has exposed me to the variety and subtleties of organic forms with earthy surface textures and colors. By wood firing the ash deposits and flashing marks on the clay allow me the opportunity to explore natural textures and colors. The unique experience and results of wood firing reflect and reinforce my fascination with my surrounding natural environment while joining it with the long tradition of the ceramic arts.

Biography
Education:
December 1990, Master of Fine Arts, University of Wisconsin-Madison: concentration in Ceramics and Sculpture

December 1986, Bachelor of Arts, Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin.
Studio Art and Art History

Teaching Experience:
2003 Visiting Associate Professor, Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin. Teaching ceramics and sculpture.

1992-2002 Associate Professor, Mount Senario College, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Teaching ceramics and sculpture.

Summer 2000 and 2001 Lecturer, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Teaching beginning and advanced ceramics.

1989-1990 Lecturer, sabbatical replacement,
Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin.
Teaching beginning and advanced ceramics.