PRE-BIDDING is CLOSED - Call Jennifer Zwilling to leave a bid or arrange a proxy - 267-872-3735 (by 6pm) for the LIVE AUCTION at 8:40

Bidding starts at: $1,200

PLEASE CALL or TEXT Jennifer Zwilling at 267-872-3735 by 6:00 PM on September 30, 2023, to make arrangements for PROXY BIDDING or to place a MAXIMUM BID with the Auctioneer!

George Rodriguez's - Rottie

Approximate size: 15.5" x 7" x 12" (L x W x H)

Stoneware with underglaze and glaze

Retail Value $5,500

Donated by George Rodriguez

George Rodriguez creates highly ornamented, figurative ceramic sculptures, often underlined by a connection to the sociopolitical issues the artist explores. Themes of culture and identity recur throughout his sculptures, celebrating the unique attributes of diverse cultures and the similarities that unite them. Rodriguez eloquently communicates the emotions each form embodies; his figures span a wide range of forms and personalities, with echoes of African, Italian, and South American ceramic traditions.

The dog sculpture George is making especially for The Clay Studio Mud Ball auction - the work in progress is pictured here - is a great example of something that unites people around across cultures: the bond between humans and their canine companions. We hope this exuberant dog sculpture wins your heart and inspires you to bid and support all our great programming at The Clay Studio. George created a tile mural for our stairway, and is working on a monumental sculpture that will soon be on view outside our building. So if you bring this happy dog home, your new sculpture will have a special resonance with The Clay Studio's building!

• Minimum shipping on this piece $500
• All winning bids are charged automatically at the end of the auction.
• Shipping is NOT included in the winning bid

Bio

Born and raised in the border city of El Paso, TX, George Rodriguez creates decorative ceramic sculpture addressing his identity and community. Brought up by his mother and four older sisters, George quietly observed the love and hard work needed to maintain his family and community. His art began to manifest as search for his individualized voice. The first in his family to finish college, he received a BFA in ceramics from the University of Texas El Paso then went on to receive an MFA from the University of Washington. His world curiosity grew as a recipient of a Bonderman Travel Fellowship where he traveled the world through most of 2010. This travel continues to have a profound impact on George and has helped his community grow. George was recognized as an Emerging Artist in 2019 by the National Council on the Education of Ceramic Arts (NCECA) and the Museums of Northwest Art awarded him The Patti Warashina Luminary Award in 2017. His work can be found in the permanent collection of the National Mexican Museum of Art in Chicago and the Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, OR. George is represented by Foster/White Gallery in Seattle, WA and is the Artist in Residence at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia.

Rodriguez says of his work When I think about clay, I think about the ritual of cutting my block, rolling slabs, gathering molds, and collecting my fork. I think about the different rituals I value and create for myself. I want to revert back to simplicity and let go of some material control. Go back to the transformation of glaze on clay. Go to a place of rediscovery.