Elliott Kayser

Elliott Kayser has always had a passion for sculpting animals, and the latest body of work is an exploration of animal vessels, often inspired by fatherhood. The zoomorphic vessel is a playful balance between utility and decoration. Elliott marvels at how many animal-shaped artifacts were buried with loved ones in cultures all across the world and are now preserved and still cherished. These things mattered to the people in the past, and they still resonate with us today, and help us feel connected with our ancestors. To see a neolithic baby bottle in the shape of an animal, designed to delight the children of the ancient past, feels simultaneously simple and profound. It is these intimate and sincere gestures of connection that attract him to making animals. More than anything, Elliott has fun in the studio, compelled to explore the sometimes-surreal compositions created when balancing form and function.

Elliott Kayser is a full-time studio artist living in Ypsilanti Michigan. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Alfred University in 2007, and in 2017 an MFA in Ceramics from Arizona State University. In addition to his own art practice, Elliott has spent 7 years working in ceramics production and now offers consulting services for small pottery companies to improve their process and grow.