BIOGRAPHY

S. C. Rolf lives and works as a studio potter in River Falls, WI, creating one-of-a- kind functional pots. His work reflects an ongoing search to unite his ideas with the generosity and the intimacy that the functional pot offers. 

Rolf holds an MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute, and a BS in Arts from the University of Wisconsin River Falls. He also apprenticed under Wang Hui Ming, master painter and wood engraver.

S. C. Rolf exhibits his work throughout the United States and has received national and international awards. He also lectures and teaches workshops throughout the country.  Rolf’s work has been included in multiple magazines articles and books. His work resides in noted private and museum collections and in numerous kitchen cupboards.

ARTIST STATEMENT

As a potter, I make one of a kind functional objects that are meant to be used daily. The daily routine of life is often filled with beauty that is missed or passed over. I have made a study of making objects that fit ones hand and hopefully engage the users eye, head, and heart as well. My work celebrates the daily routine of eating, drinking, storing and pouring.

Beautiful objects have the power to trigger thoughts and emotions. Interesting and beautiful clay pots do this for me because they are made of mud, and mud leaves a trail and a record of the makers touch capturing his or her ideas at the moment of making. Pots additionally deal with containment. This containment relates to use, the body, volume, space and even containment of ideas as metaphor.

My work employs the physical process of layering which describes a sense of growth of the pot, both inward and outward. The addition and subtraction of the material leave a record of time in the work. Layering of wet clay over leather-hard clay is similar to the transformation of a landscape, such as an eroding riverbed. As a maker of one-of-a-kind functional objects, I use the premise that I transmit feeling through the subtle touch in working. I feel that in order for the user to “get it” they must also touch the work. My hope is that my pots will be used frequently in the daily routine by those who bring them into their homes.

Website: scrolfpotter.com 
Instagram: @steven_rolf