Connor Czora ( They/Them )

My work explores the relationships between historical ceramics, cultural taste, and contemporary power structures in the United States. Tracing the lineage of Western decorative arts, my work examines how ideologies are embedded and perpetuated through craft objects.

Frequently working in porcelain, I draw inspiration from the baroque and rococo ceramics of Europe and the US. The extravagant forms and delicate gilding of such pieces project opulence and authority. In my practice, I juxtapose this luxury with the material struggles of everyday Americans. Upending our cultural association of the decorative as docile, I use ornament to disarm viewers and open discussion of pressing social matters. These themes span across gender, class, and American empire.

My methods of making often contrast traditional ceramic processes with expanded media, such as performance and digital fabrication. In my performances, cast ceramics become objects of protest and iconoclasm. On my vessels, I use digital collage to build collective narratives of history. These productive disparities amplify the thematic tensions at the heart of my work.

Ultimately, my work honors the “people’s history” that is overlooked in elite ceramics. Framing contemporary movements for social justice through historical decorative aesthetics, I challenge our understanding of the past and our role in creating a more just future.

Connor Czora is an artist, educator, and activist currently based in Washington, DC. Born in Rochester, NY, they received their BFA in Ceramics and Gender Studies from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in 2019.Czora’s work explores the relationships between historical ceramics and contemporary power structures in the United States. Tracing the lineage of Western decorative arts, their work examines how ideologies are embedded and perpetuated through craft objects.Czora recently received the 2026 Emerging Artist Fellowship from The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. Their art has been shown and awarded internationally, including features in Time, The New York Times, and more. Currently, Czora teaches and works as Creative Director at the District Clay Center.