Wynne Wilbur – Red Lodge Clay Center

Wynne WilburKirksville, MO


Red Lodge Clay Center – Short-Term Resident (AIA) 2013, (AIA) 2018

Wynne is originally from Manhattan, Kansas. She received her BA, Art Education, Magna Cum Laude, from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. After receiving her MA in Art (ceramics) from Emporia (KS) State University, she had a career for many years as a teacher in the public schools in Kansas. In 1998 she went to the University of Florida where she received her MFA in Art (ceramics). She has been teaching at Truman State University since 2002.

Past shows include the 2008 Strictly Functional XVI, Lancaster, PA; the Yunomi Invitational, Iowa City, IA, and shows with the Strecker-Nelson Gallery, Manhattan, KS.Recent images have been published in 500 Plates and Chargers (Lark Books), Making Marks: Discovering the Ceramic Surface, and the Penland Glaze Book.

This recent work has evolved from the singularly conceived, functional pieces from past years. While still technically utilitarian in form, these pieces that visually reflect my personal relationship with the world outside, work best in groups and thereby conceptually confuse the idea of utility. While each mug can function by itself in a traditional way, the group must be united to reveal the complete visual reflection of my surroundings.

Each platter series contains segments of a single snapshot of places that I have traveled to frequently over my lifetime. Instead of the iconic, instantly readable tourist photo, these images represent intimate and personal records of the passage of time in a familiar place. In addition, they move away from the idea of utility by paying homage to the ceramic chargers of Renaissance Italy that acted as a canvas to be hung and appreciated visually, rather than filled with spaghetti.