Joel Otterson

For the past 30 years, Joel Otterson has made sculpture, which combines aspects of domestic handicraft with traditional sculptural materials. Copper pipe, woodworking, pottery, porcelain, china, earthenware, concrete, marble, stained glass, quilting and lacemaking are the raw materials of Otterson’s sculpture. Utilizing practices such as sewing, and quilting, traditionally associated with feminine craft making, Otterson turns these humble materials into muscular art. The artist blurs the line between high and low culture, art and craft to create poignant sculptures, which are both utilitarian and de-constructivist sculptural objects. Through this endeavor, Otterson explores various cultural and political phenomena such as Rock N Roll, Baseball, and what it means to be an American.