Fall 2024
Featured Artist
Matt Conlon
Description of Art: High-fired porcelain with hand-carved patterns.
Matt Conlon creates high-fired porcelain with intricate hand-carved patterns. His work draws influence and technique from both historical and contemporary themes. While many of his forms are inspired by early examples of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese ceramics, the patterns and imagery reflect the simple, elegant structure and color theory found in Art Deco and Mid-Century artwork.
Born and raised in Perry, Utah, Matt gained early inspiration from watching his family members work with metal, wood, painting, and drawing. Although none of his family had formal education in the arts, their creativity and craftsmanship made a lasting and profound impact on him. As a result, Matt began working with many of the same mediums as a child, ultimately discovering his love for ceramics in high school.
Matt has been working with clay since 1999. He received his Associate's degree from Utah Tech University in 2008 and his BFA in ceramics and secondary art education from Utah State University in 2012. After graduating, he taught ceramics at DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts from 2011 to 2022. He currently lives in Ogden, Utah, with his wife and children, where he runs a studio production in their home studio.
Matt’s artwork has been featured in publications such as 500 Prints on Clay and 500 Teapots Vol. 2. He has won numerous awards while participating in art festivals throughout the country, including Best in Show at the Kimball Art Festival in 2021, Tempe Festival of the Arts in 2023, and Boise Art Museum in 2023. His work is showcased in several galleries and permanent collections throughout the country. He has received national awards, including the Award of Merit in the National K-12 Exhibition in 2004 and 3rd place in the National Undergraduate Exhibition in 2012. Additionally, he exhibits his work in twelve to fifteen juried shows per year.
https://www.mattconlonpottery.com/