sylwia tur
STATEMENT
In my creative process I tend to avoid that which already has a solid representation in the world. Instead I focus on ideas and mechanisms, extrapolating them into the objects I make. They come in forms of gestures and fragments of seemingly disjoined processes, and I task myself with finding their patterns and rules.
Language, as an agreed upon system of conventions, may often seem arbitrary, but it is in fact governed by rules and processes which are regular, structured, and intuitive. Through years of unconscious statistical observations and computations in our minds, we know what is allowed in the language and what is not, what belongs there and what is an outlier.
The awareness of patterns is intuitive, even if we cannot name them.
We only notice them when an irregularity or divergence arises. It is only when looked at closely these patterns emerge into a coherent set, a linguistic system, a language.
Even though I am drawn to architecture, I see it as a system of processes and treat its organized and multi-dependent nature as a canvas for my work, a starting point. It is on that canvas that I build my linguistic systems, primarily in the syntactic and phonological space. While syntax deals with the entire sentence level structure, phonology goes to the smallest units of sounds and principles that govern them. However, both are forms of grammar and both draw their conclusions from an interaction of segments, be it words or phonemes.
It is the processes that govern language that I apply to my sculptural work. I use my understanding of language principles and through my own arsenal of shapes and objects create dependencies and interactions.
My work begins in one of two ways: either with a specific linguistic process in mind which I want to explore or with a mental representation of shapes and their relationships, which end up connecting to a linguistic node.
What I am essentially creating is my own language of objects, my linguistic system in the visual and mental space, not unlike that of I-Language, an individual or internal language, thought to be a mental object (in Chomsky’s transformational grammar).
By applying principles of science I strive for the elegant solution, which tends to be the simplest one.
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
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INSTALLATIONS
ARSENAL 2015
Porcelain, glaze, PVC pipes, paint
Installation size: 8' x 9' x 11"
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
ARSENAL 2015
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111 ATTENTION CUPS 2015
porcelain, glaze
installation spread over 5km,
each piece 7" x 3" x 3"
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
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PORCELAIN PLANTATIONS 2014
porcelain
installation size: 500 sq.feet
TEMPLATES 2012-2013
TEMPLATES 2012-2013
TEMPLATES 2012-2013
TEMPLATES 2012-2013
TEMPLATES 2012-2013
TEMPLATES 2012-2013
TEMPLATES 2012-2013
TEMPLATES 2012-2013
TEMPLATES 2012-2013
TEMPLATES 2012-2013
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TEMPLATES 2012-2013
porcelain, glaze
installation size: 8' x 12' x 15"
INTERACTIVE CANVASES 2011
INTERACTIVE CANVASES 2011
INTERACTIVE CANVASES 2011
INTERACTIVE CANVASES 2011
INTERACTIVE CANVASES 2011
INTERACTIVE CANVASES 2011
INTERACTIVE CANVASES 2011
INTERACTIVE CANVASES 2011
INTERACTIVE CANVASES 2011
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INTERACTIVE CANVASES 2011
porcelain, steel wire
installation size: 40' length
RUNGS 2010
RUNGS 2010
RUNGS 2010
RUNGS 2010
RUNGS 2010
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RUNGS 2010
porcelain, fishing wire
120' feet long
RAW 2008
RAW 2008
RAW 2008
RAW 2008
RAW 2008
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RAW 2008
porcelain, paint, rubber tubing
12.5' x 10' x 24"
LANGUAGE BUILDS 2007
LANGUAGE BUILDS 2007
LANGUAGE BUILDS 2007
LANGUAGE BUILDS 2007
LANGUAGE BUILDS 2007
LANGUAGE BUILDS 2007
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LANGUAGE BUILDS 2007
porcelain, glaze, vinyl tubing
15' x 17' x 3'
COARTICULATION 2006
COARTICULATION 2006
COARTICULATION 2006
COARTICULATION 2006
COARTICULATION 2006
COARTICULATION 2006
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COARTICULATION 2006
porcelain, glaze, fiber
65" x 120" x 4"
PHONOLOGY 2006
PHONOLOGY 2006
PHONOLOGY 2006
PHONOLOGY 2006
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PHONOLOGY 2006
porcelain, plaster, pigment
10.5' x 54" x 13'
DEPENDENCIES 2006
DEPENDENCIES 2006
DEPENDENCIES 2006
DEPENDENCIES 2006
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DEPENDENCIES 2006
porcelain, fiber
107" x 60" x 48"
SCULPTURES
EXHIBITS
GESTURES 2014
GESTURES 2014
GESTURES 2014
GESTURES 2014
GESTURES 2014
GESTURES 2014
GESTURES 2014
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GESTURES 2014
porcelain
variable, e.g. 7” x 12” x 15”
SCALE 2012 - 2013
SCALE 2012 - 2013
SCALE 2012 - 2013
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SCALE 2012 - 2013
porcelain
variable
90 DEGREES 2012
90 DEGREES 2012
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90 DEGREES 2012
porcelain
20" x 20" x 2"
FORMANTS 2011
FORMANTS 2011
FORMANTS 2011
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FORMANTS 2011
porcelain, rubber tubing
30" x 48" 20"
CONGLOMERATIONS 2010
CONGLOMERATIONS 2011
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CONGLOMERATION 2010
porcelain
30" x 25" x 10"
TOOLS 2009
TOOLS 2009
TOOLS 2009
TOOLS 2009
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TOOLS 2009
porcelain
18" x 11" x 16"
FRAGMENTS 2014
FRAGMENTS 2015
FRAGMENTS 2016
FRAGMENTS 2017
FRAGMENTS 2018
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FRAGMENTS 2014
porcelain
variable
QUARTER TURNS 2012
QUARTER TURNS 2012
QUARTER TURNS 2012
QUARTER TURNS 2012
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QUARTER TURNS 2012
porcelain
12' x 8" x 8"
OSCILLATIONS 2011 - 2014
OSCILLATIONS 2011 - 2014
OSCILLATIONS 2011 - 2014
OSCILLATIONS 2011 - 2014
OSCILLATIONS 2011 - 2014
OSCILLATIONS 2011 - 2014
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OSCILLATIONS 2011 - 2014
porcelain, powder coated aluminum
or metal and tool dip
12' x 30" x 20"
MANY TO ONE 2010
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MANY TO ONE 2010
porcelain, glaze
17" x 25" x 7"
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
CANVASES 2009 - 2009
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CANVASES 2009 - 2010
porcelain
variable, e.g. 17" x 12" x 6"
WHEN WORKING ON MY SCULPTURES, I AM USING ANALOGIES SIMILAR TO THE PROCESSES
THAT COME TOGETHER TO FORM LANGUAGE.
2016
(upcoming) Solo Show, Linda Hodges Gallery, Seattle, WA
2015
Storefronts, Arsenal - site specific installation - juried
Seattle, WA
NEPO 5k Don't Run - 111 Attention Cups - juried
Seattle, WA
2014
Making and Breaking, Linda Hodges Gallery - invitational, Seattle, WA
Accreted Terrane, Museum of Northwest Art, curated by David Francis - juried, La Conner, WA
NEPO 5k Don't Run - Porcelain Plantations - juried,
Seattle, WA
Real Abstract, Linda Hodges Gallery - invitational, Seattle, WA
Artist Trust, 27th Anniversary Benefit Art Auction - juried, Seattle, WA
2013
Storefronts, Templates - site specific installation - juried, Seattle, WA
Terra Linear-the ceramic line, two installations: Scale and Templates, curated by Lisa Conway - invitational
Vancouver, WA
2012
Abstract Affinities, Francine Seders Gallery, curated by Anne Hirondelle; in conjunction with 46th NCECA conference - invitational, Seattle, WA
The Potter and the Urn, Lundgren Monuments, curated by Greg Lundgren; in conjunction with 46th NCECA conference - invitational, Seattle, WA
Clay Lives Here! Seattle Design Center, curated by Wally Bivins; in conjunction with 46th NCECA conference - invitational, Seattle, WA
Artist Trust, 25th Anniversary Benefit Art Auction - invitational, Seattle, WA
2011
Heaven and Earth 3, COCA (Center on Contemporary Art) Point Shilshole Beach & Carkeek Park Outdoor Exhibit; site specific installation Interactive Canvases, Seattle, WA
SOIL 2011 Invitational Art Auction, Seattle Design Center, Seattle, WA
Seattle Weekly's Artopia,
Seattle, WA
2010
Outsider/Insider, COCA (Center on Contemporary Art) - invitational, Seattle, WA
Heaven and Earth 2, COCA (Center on Contemporary Art) Carkeek Park Outdoor Exhibit; site specific installation Rungs, Seattle, WA
Meet Greet Rinse Repeat, Monarch Contemporary - invitational, collaboration with Troy Gua,
Seattle, WA
Resident Alien, COCA (Center on Contemporary Art) - invitational, Seattle, WA
Mapping, Monarch Contemporary - solo show, Seattle, WA
MadArt Redux, Foster/White Gallery; curated by Phen Huang & Bryan Ohno - invitational, Seattle, WA
2009 - 2010
ART 2010, Viridian Artists and Friends, Viridian Artists Gallery New York City, NY
2009
Sculpture Burial Map, site specific outdoors installation (ongoing), Washington State
Collision, 1020 Group Show, Ouch My Eye Gallery
Seattle, WA
Heaven and Earth, COCA (Center on Contemporary Art) Carkeek Park Outdoor Exhibit; site specific installation Language within Landscape, Seattle, WA
Ship It II, Ouch My Eye Gallery, Seattle, WA
Room for Eleven, NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts), Juror: John Balistreri, Phoenix, AZ
MINI MINI: A 4 x 4 Mini Art Show, Conspire Art Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
MINI MINI: A 4 x 4 Mini Art Show
Cartel Coffee Lab Tempe, AZ
Artist Trust, 22nd Invitational Art Auction
Seattle, WA
2008
Raw, Pottery Northwest Gallery - solo exhibit
Seattle, WA
Connected by Clay, Sea-Tac Airport Exhibit
Seattle, WA
PONCHO Invitational Art Auction
Seattle, WA
Clay? II, Kirkland Arts Center, Jurors: Doug Jeck, Akio Takamori, Jamie Walker, Kirkland, WA
2007 - 2008
Language Builds, installation
Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA
2007
PNW Resident Show, Pottery Northwest Gallery,
Seattle, WA
The Big Bang Birthday Bash,
Henry Art Museum, Seattle, WA
Artist Trust, 20th Anniversary Benefit Art Auction
Seattle, WA
Sample Points, Pottery Northwest Gallery - solo exhibit, Seattle, WA
2006
PNW Resident Show, Pottery Northwest Gallery
Seattle, WA
SOIL 2006 Invitational Art Auction, Greg Kucera Gallery, Seattle, WA
Architecture of Language, Ceramics Gallery,
University of Washington - solo exhibit, Seattle, WA
Ceramics Biennial Exhibition 2006,
New Hampshire Institute of Art, Manchester, NH
19th National Juried Art Exhibit, South Cobb Arts Alliance, Mable House, Mableton, GA
Show and Tell, Ceramics Gallery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Regional Juried Exhibition NCECA
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts
Portland, OR
School of Art OPEN, Jacob Lawrence Gallery
University of Washington, Juror: Esther Lutthikuizen
2006
Post-baccalaureate Degree
Studio Art: Ceramics
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2004-2006
PhD Program
Linguistics
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2004
Master of Arts Degree
Linguistics
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
1998
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Linguistics
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
1993-1994
Master's Program
Polish Philology
Uniwersytet Warszawski, Warsaw, Poland
EDUCATION
2011
4Culture Individual Artist Project Grant
2008
Artist Trust GAP Grant (Grants for Artist Projects)
2006
Show and Tell, Juror's Pick
2006
NCECA Regional Exhibition Award
2003 & 2004
Foreign Language and Area Study (FLAS) Graduate Fellowship
(x2)
2003 & 2004
Graduate School Fund for Excellence and Innovation (x2)
