Naomi Teppich

Looking at shells, bones, fungi, bark, and cacti inspire my art. I build small and medium-sized ceramic sculptures and large metal/cement sculptures. My materials are combinations of soft and hard organic substances. Clay is soft to work with, but turns into a permanent and hard medium after firing. I use hand and electric tools to design my works. I also fire them in several different kilns. Firing my work in these different kilns allow me to explore different results. My surrounding environment inspires my ideas. I am influenced by rural settings and observations from my travels. I have created enlarged ceramic shell pieces that look like real shells and organic mushroom forms. Often I form shapes that are meant to hang on the wall. My clay sculptures sit on cement, wood, metal or stone bases. I use different textures, glazes, and clay colors to make these pieces. The challenge of almost duplicating these organic forms that I find in nature or in photos is enjoyable for me. By focusing on this theme my work can touch others and bring awareness to these natural wonders. I like to explore different themes of these vulnerable organisms. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and received my BA from Brooklyn College 1971, a fine arts major. My welding skills were developed at Pratt Institute (MFA 1975). I studied ceramics at Parsons School of Design in 1995 and taught ceramics and sculpture in New York City for many years. I currently live and work in Damascus, Pennsylvania, and have access to my former NYC apartment. My sculptures have been included in numerous solo and group exhibitions mostly in upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and New York City. I was included in “Looking Forward” a national exhibition at the Carter Burden Gallery in Chelsea, NY in Nov. 2021. In 2022 I was included in Address Earth Art Expo 2022, Gallery of the Visual & Performing Arts Center, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT
. I was selected for the "Love Where You Live" group show at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, Narrowsburg, NY for Feb. 2024. I won Puffin Foundation grants in 2009 and 2015.
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