Lori Katz’s work is known for its striking strength and simplicity, and her reputation as a studio artist in ceramics, mixed media, and painting has earned her work a place in collections worldwide. Lori’s current focus is an exploration of surface and texture in clay, a theme that continues to evolve through each new creation. Her artistic journey, spanning over 46 years, is grounded in her love of texture, balance, and form. Lori describes her process as materials-driven, an obsession that began as a child when her artistically inclined parents encouraged her to explore her creativity.
Currently, Lori’s work is being featured in Sculpture NOW, a juried exhibition at the McLean Project for the Arts (MPA), running through October 26, 2024. Sculpture NOW features more than 60 artists and includes a range of works created within the past two years. Lori’s piece in Sculpture NOW is a wall installation of some sixty-odd ceramic cubes, and illustrates her ongoing exploration of form, space and texture.
Lori will also be giving an artist talk at MPA on October 24th at 11 a.m., where she plans to delve into her processes and the materials that have shaped her practice. Reflecting on her work, she says, “I make what I want to make,” emphasizing that the broad scope of a non-thematic show like Sculpture NOW hasn’t influenced what she creates but instead impacts how she presents and talks about her work.
Lori’s career is a testament to both craftsmanship and adaptability. She regularly exhibits at art fairs in New York City and Chicago and has shown internationally in Moscow, Seoul, and Shanghai. Her work is also featured in the permanent collections of the Racine Art Museum, the U.S. Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan, the IBM Corporation, and Amazon Web Services, among others. Lori’s ceramic pieces have even made their way into popular culture, with appearances on television shows like Succession and Inventing Anna. About these features, she says, “They were so much fun to be a part of.”
For Lori, the act of creating art is not just about the final product but about the connection formed between the maker and the audience. As she says, “The act of giving form to my ideas brings me enormous satisfaction. That others want to experience my work, want to bring it into their homes and their lives, validates and completes my process.”
Join Lori at Sculpture NOW through October 26, 2024, or visit her in Studio 334 here at the Art Center to learn more about her journey and approach to ceramics and mixed media!