Travis Winters

With my work I am constructing characters, often humorous, each focused on its own individual narrative. These stories are based on the mundane day-to-day, past struggles, and real people. Throughout life we encounter many “characters” and create our own stories, some becoming part of our identity as we pass them on to those around us. I feel it necessary to narrate these stories derived from human nature, universal experiences and my own personal understanding of the world around me. Drawing from these observations, I am able to manifest prevalent themes about life with in our contemporary society. By creating comical figures, I am initiating a non-threatening conversation about different topics common within our culture. Captivating the imagination of the viewer, I invite the fabrication of personal narratives and encourage an intimate connection with the characters. This dialogue between viewer and figure encourages various interpretations, all while relating the narrative back to themes of everyday existence and experiences. Through my work, I am modeling my figures with exaggerated folds and wrinkles in order to create a visceral encounter with the narrative. Through modeling in this stylized yet realistic way, the viewer gets hooked in, as their curiosity leads them to closely examine each character.

-- Travis Winters

Travis Winters is a ceramic artist and current resident artist at Baltimore Clayworks in Baltimore, MD. Working primarily with animals and figures, he creates a visceral experience for the viewer by meticulously crafting characters that evoke narrative and the sense of touch. A MFA graduate from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Winters exhibits work nationally and has shown at Baltimore Clayworks in Baltimore, MD, The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, PA, The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA, The Kirkland Arts Center in Kirkland, WA and the Ceramics Center in Cedar Rapids IA. Travis was the Lormina Salter Fellowship Artist at Baltimore Clayworks, long term Resident at Odyssey Clayworks in Asheville, NC, a Kiln God Summer Resident at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in New Castle ME and a Short-Term Resident Artist at Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, MT.