Bradley Klem
Denver, CO
Biography
Bradley Klem caught his first fish when he was three years old, marking the beginning of a life-long concern for water, wildlife, and conservation. He has participated in artist residency programs at notable places like the Archie Bray Foundation, Mesa Arts Center, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, and Project Art 01026. His work is part of several collections, including the Mesa Contemporary Art Museum. He earned his MFA from Penn State University, where he received awards for his teaching and creative work. Now living in Denver, CO, Klem continues to create art, teach at the University of Denver, and offer his assistance at La Serra Collective.
Artist Statement
My work draws on the historical and cultural context of ceramic objects to address the influence of man on the environment. Ceramic vessels come in many different forms and from a broad variety of cultures and locations. Equally as diverse in form and source of origin, though lacking in historical significance, are the single-use plastics that we utilize today. The familiarity and historical context of ceramic vessels act as a Trojan horse infiltrating the domestic space, carrying conversations of our planetary disposition. The work is graphic and vibrant, luring the viewer in, only to confront them with the juxtaposition of plastic waste and ceramic beauty. This clash prompts a critical reflection: why find beauty in pollution? I urge viewers to rethink their interactions with plastic, pushing for a recognition of how our current practices may be enshrined in history. The question is stark: will we let plastics define our era, or can we rally for change, preserving the natural beauty once celebrated in our art? These are the pots of the Anthropocene.
