CHRISTOPHER TORREZ

I am drawn to issues of change, primarily in the natural world and the sciences. The use of a miniature scale reflects the small yet complex and often overlooked details of the natural world. My forms, although inspired by nature, are not intended to replicate any known species or place. The fragility and preciousness of these small worlds mimic the similar qualities of a delicate and complex ecosystem―once gone, irreparable. The predominantly white unglazed porcelain creates a quiet, somber quality. It reflects a palette to be filled, a life-force not yet present or that has been drained away. The discussion of the human impact on the environment becomes evident in these miniature worlds.

 

CHRISTOPHER TORREZ

Education
-Candidate for Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ,  
 graduation Spring 2010. 
-Post-Baccalaureate Student in Ceramics, ACCESS Program, Division of Continuing
 Education & Professional Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2007-2009.
-Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Arts Major (ceramics emphasis), Geology Minor,
 University of Colorado at Boulder, 2006.

Professional Expertise
• Academic research (art history, contemporary art, art technical processes,
   geology, botany, museum history) 
• Internet and computer skills (Word, Powerpoint)
• Black and white photography lab chemistry, setup, procedures and equipment
• Ceramic materials, clay mixing, glaze calculation, gas and electric kiln equipment
   and firing, clay handling techniques (handbuilding, moldmaking, wheelthrowing)
• Sculpture materials and techniques in plaster, wood, molding, metal.
• Metalshop equipment experience 
• Basic hazardous materials handling and disposal training for photography and
   ceramic materials.

Employment
-Teaching Assistant to Professor Kim Dickey, Ceramics 2 Beginning Wheelthrowing
 Class, Department of Art and Art History, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2008.
-Ceramics Assistant, Department of Art and Art History, University of Colorado at
 Boulder, 2007.
-Artist Assistant to Mrs. Kim Dickey, Longmont, CO, 2007- 2009.
-Teaching Assistant to Professor Scott Chamberlin, Ceramics 3 Intermediate Class,
 Department of Art and Art History, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2006.
-Sculpture and Metalshop Undergrad Assistant, Department of Art and Art History,
 University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 2005-2007.
-Artist Assistant, Mrs. Tsehai Johnson, Denver, Colorado, 2005. 
-Research Assistant to Professor Kim Dickey, Undergraduate Research Opportunities
 Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2004-2007.
-Ceramic Undergrad Assistant, Department of Art and Art History, University of
 Colorado at Boulder, 2004-2007.
-Photography Lab Monitor, Department of Art and Art History, University of Colorado,
 Boulder, Colorado, 2004-2005.

Artist Exhibitions
-Sustainability Exhibition, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University,
 Tempe, 2010.
-NCECA 2010 Invitational “Earth Matters” Exhibition, National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 2010.
-9th Annual Ceramic Studio Tour, Graduate Ceramic Studio Building, Arizona State
 University, Tempe, 2010.
-9th Annual Ceramic Studio Tour, Art One Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona, 2010.
-9th Annual Ceramic Studio Tour, Ceramic Research Center, Arizona State University Art
 Museum, Tempe, Arizona, 2010.
-31st Annual Contemporary Crafts Exhibition, Mesa Contemporary Arts at Mesa Arts
 Center, Mesa, Arizona, 2010.
-Solid Solutions, Step Gallery, School of Art, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 
 2009.
-Material Mastery, Kansas Artist Craftsmen Association, Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art,
 Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas, 2009.
-Copper as Coinage, Intel Ocotillo Campus, Chandler, Arizona, 2009.
-New M.F.A. Candidate Exhibition, Harry Wood Gallery, School of Art, Arizona State
 University, Tempe, 2009.
-From the Ground Up XXIV: Regional Juried Ceramics Exhibition, Las Cruces Museum 
 of Art, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 2009.
-18th National Juried Art Exhibition, Artists Association of Northern Colorado, Lincoln
  Center, Fort Collins, CO, 2009. 
-Specimens of Colorado, Installation Space, HSSC Building, University of Colorado at
  Boulder, 2008. 
-Toast, Sibel Wolle Fine Arts, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2007.
-Accretionary Assemblage Juried Exhibition, Core New Art Space, Denver, CO, 2007.
-Earth Fountain, Sculpture Installation Room, Sibel Wolle Fine Arts, University of
 Colorado at Boulder, 2007.
-Spark Small Works Show, Spark Gallery, Denver, CO, 2006.
-Paroxysm: Spring 2006 B.F.A. Exhibition, CU Art Museum, Sibel Wolle Fine Arts
 Building, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2006.
-Entrance to the Elevator Show, Dudley Alcove Gallery, Sibel Wolle Fine Arts Building,
 University of Colorado at Boulder, 2005.
-Monitor Photography Show, Workspace Gallery, Sibel Wolle Fine Arts Building,
 University of Colorado at Boulder, 2004.

Collections
-Betty Woodman Ceramic Teaching Collection, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2009.
-Artists Association of Northern Colorado, Fort Collins, Colorado, 2009.

Research
-Student Curator, object report on Cheyenne Pipe Bag on file, object no.: NA-PL-CH-Q-
 21, Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona, 2010.
-Student Curator, Ancient Southwest Ceramics Exhibition at A.R.I. and object report on
 file for catalog no.: 1964.026.00367, Archeological Research Institute, Arizona
 State University, Tempe, 2010.
-Co-curator, Print Exhibition as part of the Defining Sustainability Fall 2009
 Season, Multipurpose Room, Arizona State University Art Museum, 2009.


Publication
-Brown, Glen, 2010 NCECA Invitational “Earth Matters” Exhibition Catalog, Erie, Colorado: National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, 2010.
-Brown, Glen R., “Representing Nature:Science, Technology, Conscience and
 Pride”, 44th Annual NCECA Conference Journal, Volume 31 2010: 16.
-31st Annual Contemporary Crafts Exhibition Catalog, Mesa, Arizona: Mesa Contemporary Arts, 2010.
-From the Ground Up XXIV Exhibition Online Catalog, Las Cruces, New Mexico: Las Cruces Museum of Art, 2009, < http://www.las-cruces.org/public-services/museums/mfa_from_the_ground_up.shtm>.

Grants, Scholarships & Awards
-Arizona Clay Scholarship Award, Arizona Clay Association, Sun City, Arizona, 2010.
-Student Enrichment Grant, School of Art and Herberger Institute for Design and the
 Arts, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 2010.
-School of Art Special Talent Award, School of Art, Herberger Institute for Design and
 the Arts, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 2009-2011.
-Philip Curtis Graduate Fellowship, School of Art, Herberger College of the Arts,
 Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 2009-2010.
-Conover Program Excellence Scholarship & Finger Scholarship, Anderson Ranch Arts
 Center, Snowmass Village, Colorado, 2008. 
-Dean’s List, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2003.

Workshops Attended
-Ceramic Sculpture as Social/Political Commentary Workshop, Richard Notkin,
 Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, Colorado, 2008. 
-Seminar, Nikon School of Photography, 2001.

Volunteer Work
-Representative, Arizona State University Ceramic Program Booth, 44th Annual
 Conference, National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Philadelphia, PA,
 2010.
-Auction runner & cash and carry assistant, Ceram-a-rama Gala, Ceramic Research
 Center, ASU Art Museum, Arizona State University, Tempe, 2010.

Membership
-Arizona Clay Association, Sun City, AZ.
-Student Member, National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Erie, CO.
-Kansas Artist Craftsman Association, Hays, KS.
-Student Member, National Foundry Society, Schaumburg, IL.