MATHEW WHEELER

"My vessels make use of the convergence of familiar and ambiguous to create a sense of obscurity. The work has an open-endedness which relies upon the viewers creativity and imagination to strive towards resolution. I experience pareidolia while I manifest my work in my studio, this tendency to remake the abstract into something recognizable, is compelling and creates a sense of excitement for me as I create. These moments do not always directly translate when seen, as people bring their own visual experiences when investigating these objects. I find elation in the idea that abstractions and arrangements of forms can allow for individualized narratives, or sense of familiarity, to be arrived at through viewing."

Mat Wheeler obtained his BFA from Northern Arizona University and his MFA from Indiana University. His practice is based primarily in making pottery. Working with persistent pottery forms seen throughout many cultures and times he incorporates formal abstractions that emphasize the anthropomorphic language used to describe pottery. Mat is currently a visiting assistant professor at East Tennessee State University. His current research is focused on iron bearing glazes and reduction cooled soda firings.