steven tapper

Artist Statement

My creative path began in 1969 at a potter’s wheel, where I first encountered the difference between simply making an object and creating work with intention, meaning, and presence. That early experience planted the foundation for how I continue to approach art today. Although my professional career centered on jewelry design, sales, and manufacturing, creativity remained a constant undercurrent. In recent years, I have returned more fully to making art through ceramics and found‑object constructions. These works emerge from curiosity, experimentation, and a respect for materials shaped by time, use, and history.
My current practice is guided by an interest in perception—how experience, memory, and attention influence what we see and make. I consider myself an emerging artist, not in spite of a long life, but because I remain committed to learning, discovery, and growth. Each piece represents an ongoing conversation between material, experience, and intention.