We’re looking forward to introducing you to Eric Serritella. Check out our conversation below.
Eric, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think what’s most misunderstood about being an artist is how much time is spent not making art. To be a full time artist is to be a business person and entrepreneur who also happens to be a creative. It takes as much to sell art as it does any other business and a huge amount of time is spent outside of studio practice running all the aspects of a self-employed business.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Here’s my bio…
Eric Serritella is recognized internationally as one of the top ceramic trompe l’oeil artists in the world. He specializes in hand-carved sculptures transforming clay into birch, charred and weathered logs. His one-of-a-kind pieces are known for their hyper-realism, and have been exhibited, awarded and collected on five continents for their exquisite organic design and incredibly lifelike textures. Works have been contributed to over 160 exhibitions and are represented in many museum collections including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Mint Museum. He was honored by the James Renwick Alliance as the 2016 Distinguished Artist in Ceramics at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. His 2018 solo show at Jason Jacques Gallery was recommended in the NY Times and he has received positive acclaim by Architectural Digest and renowned art critic/historian Daniella Ohad.
Each piece Serritella makes begins as a blank piece of clay where work begins spontaneously and intuitively without the use of wood samples or models. He uses wheel throwing, slab building and hand building techniques to create his expressive forms. All the texture and details are hand-carved and no molds are used. After applying ceramic oxides for accent colors, the pieces are fired to over 2,100º.
Recent explorations in glass have widened his pallet for material and color and are beginning to emerge in a new body of cast glass and pate de verre works, often in combination with clay elements.
For more information on Eric, visit www.ericserritella.com
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I remember seeing a plaque in my mom’s room one time that was a native American quote that read, “Never judge your neighbor until you’ve walked a mile in their moccasins.” It’s been my life mantra ever since. Imagine if everyone in the world could be this understanding, this empathic, this tolerant and understanding. That’s the world that I want to live in.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Losing my father to a massive heart attack when I was 10 years old is the deepest cut. A supportive mother, finding art and it’s cathartic outlets, and lots of people who love me helped with the wound healing. It’s still not fully healed.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, for the most part the public me is the real me. As an extroverted introvert, I do have a private quite side that isn’t always seen publicly.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I am most at peace alone in nature, usually alone on a quite body of water in my kayak. And I would love to live in a world where we didn’t judge and fight and demean others who are different. Acceptance and understanding all around would bring me great peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ericserritella.com
Image Credits
Jason Dowdle
Eric Serritella
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
