About the Artist

Marlene Miller received her Bachelor's of Fine arts in ceramics from Bradley University with a minor in painting and drawing, and her Master's of Fine arts in ceramics from Syracuse University. As a figurative ceramic sculptor, she has exhibited nationally for more than 25 years.

Since the early 90's, she has exhibited internationally in the VIII International Ceramics Exhibition, Aveiro, Portugal, the Fletcher Challenge International Ceramics Exhibition at the Auckland Museum in New Zealand, the International Biennial of Ceramic Art at the Chateau-Musee of France, and the Faenza International Ceramics Exhibition in Italy.

In 2000, she left her teaching position to focus on her
work exclusively and to establish MillerClay Designs, creating ceramic sculpture and wall relief for interiors and outdoor placement.

Miller was selected to receive a 2002 Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship Award for her ceramic work.

Artist Statement:

I am interested in exploring human content by working figuratively with clay, giving expression to internal realities that are both personal and universal in nature. In its raw state, clay responds to the maker's hand with unrivaled sensitivity and expressive power. Fingerprints, gouges, and tool marks remain, energizing the surface of figures that emerge. As I work the clay, I search for forms that communicate on a profound level.

Working on the broad canvas of clay for the commissioned relief "Tribute" was for me a transformational experience - some fundamental changes in my aesthetic emerged, leading me to my present explorations. They are: a greater respect for the inherent qualities of the raw clay; a developing appreciation for the process, allowing marks made by the hand and tools to remain; a concentration on the "whole", rather than the summation of parts; and an increasing reliance on intuition - allowing forms and meaning to emerge more freely.

About MillerClay Designs:

Marlene Miller of MillerClay Designs will work with you to: