Gary Bercow

Artist Statement

Gary Bercow lives in the finger lakes region of upstate New York outside of Ithaca, surrounded by the movement of water and lush wooded forests. He is nestled on a hilltop where he built his home and studio powered by solar surrounded by gardens and an orchard.
Gary has explored his artistic identity through his work as a teacher and visual artist showing and selling his concepts both locally and internationally. He taught drawing, painting, ceramics in Ithaca where he used the class room space as his second studio, creating an environment where art was developed through a process of communication and interaction.
His ceramics started in the 80’s and has been a constant source of inspiration and creativity. Gary’s work reflects the textures and colors that are abundant of his region. As an oil painter, his compositions of contrasts and varied textures are concepts he eventually incorporated into his ceramics.
Gary’s one of a kind ceramic pieces are subject to the elements of spontaneity and fire which create unique transformations. He is constantly altering the piece as he molds the clay and feel the movements,. He works with a variety of clay bodies which have different temperaments and colors, each one reacting differently to the applied stains and glazes on the dried body of the form. In this manner, each piece of pottery that he makes is a reflection of the variety of stone, tree and landscape in which he walks.