Welcome to an online portfolio of work crafted by Jeremy R. Brooks.
Biography: Jeremy R. Brooks was born in Detroit, MI in 1979. He received his BFA from Grand Valley State University (2001) and his MFA from Alfred University (2007). Jeremy has been awarded the title of Emerging Artist by The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts / NCECA (2011) and Ceramics Monthly (2008). He was selected as a USA Guest of Honor at the XXIst International Biennial of Vallauris, France (2010), was a finalist for the LEAP Award through the Society for Contemporary Craft (2009), and has been a winner and finalist for several NICHE Awards through The Buyer’s Market of American Craft (2008, 2010, 2011, and 2013). Jeremy has balanced his career between working as an artist and teaching professionally. He has held academic appointments at Grand Valley State University (2002-2005), Michigan State University (2008-2009), Oakland Community College (2010), the University of Michigan (2011-2012), Kalamazoo College (2012), and Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2013-Present) He has also held appointments as an artist-in-residence at The Clay Studio (2007-2008), Red Lodge Clay Center (summer 2011), and Kalamazoo College (2012).
Artist's Statement: There is a space that exists upon the tip-of-the-tongue, a site of profound intrinsic curiosity. Taste aside, it is concerned with imminence and inaccessibility, language and memory. Sometimes the first word out of our mouth is hardly a word at all, but rather this inarticulate sound that is more closely related to what we would identify as gesture. Suspended, held at the cusp of verbalization, there is something there and you feel it strongly. It is a haunting moment; it is a structure of feeling. The investigation of such a quality, one that is (at times) more properly sensuous than cognitive in its scope and depth of inquiry, is one at the core of my work and studio practice.
Teaching Philosophy: I systematically teach technique first, although I present it as a means for articulating ideas. My role is a facilitator, and I firmly believe that educators should enable students to become responsible for their own learning. While such an individual endeavor requires rigorous effort in both labor and thought, I expect no less of my students. Upon meeting at this level however, I am eager to accompany the learner on their journey: not as a pilot, but rather a travel companion.
Technical Statement: It is necessary to embrace new materials and technology in order to foster growth and facilitate learning in the ceramic arts. I suggest that we do all we can to honor and preserve our craft and its tradition, but continue to look forward toward future material applications. Collectively, we should be at each other's disposal, sharing innovation and discovery without delay or hesitation. Hermetic invention will only impede progress.
Biography: Jeremy R. Brooks was born in Detroit, MI in 1979. He received his BFA from Grand Valley State University (2001) and his MFA from Alfred University (2007). Jeremy has been awarded the title of Emerging Artist by The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts / NCECA (2011) and Ceramics Monthly (2008). He was selected as a USA Guest of Honor at the XXIst International Biennial of Vallauris, France (2010), was a finalist for the LEAP Award through the Society for Contemporary Craft (2009), and has been a winner and finalist for several NICHE Awards through The Buyer’s Market of American Craft (2008, 2010, 2011, and 2013). Jeremy has balanced his career between working as an artist and teaching professionally. He has held academic appointments at Grand Valley State University (2002-2005), Michigan State University (2008-2009), Oakland Community College (2010), the University of Michigan (2011-2012), Kalamazoo College (2012), and Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2013-Present) He has also held appointments as an artist-in-residence at The Clay Studio (2007-2008), Red Lodge Clay Center (summer 2011), and Kalamazoo College (2012).
Artist's Statement: There is a space that exists upon the tip-of-the-tongue, a site of profound intrinsic curiosity. Taste aside, it is concerned with imminence and inaccessibility, language and memory. Sometimes the first word out of our mouth is hardly a word at all, but rather this inarticulate sound that is more closely related to what we would identify as gesture. Suspended, held at the cusp of verbalization, there is something there and you feel it strongly. It is a haunting moment; it is a structure of feeling. The investigation of such a quality, one that is (at times) more properly sensuous than cognitive in its scope and depth of inquiry, is one at the core of my work and studio practice.
Teaching Philosophy: I systematically teach technique first, although I present it as a means for articulating ideas. My role is a facilitator, and I firmly believe that educators should enable students to become responsible for their own learning. While such an individual endeavor requires rigorous effort in both labor and thought, I expect no less of my students. Upon meeting at this level however, I am eager to accompany the learner on their journey: not as a pilot, but rather a travel companion.
Technical Statement: It is necessary to embrace new materials and technology in order to foster growth and facilitate learning in the ceramic arts. I suggest that we do all we can to honor and preserve our craft and its tradition, but continue to look forward toward future material applications. Collectively, we should be at each other's disposal, sharing innovation and discovery without delay or hesitation. Hermetic invention will only impede progress.
