I live, work and teach in New Orleans, Louisiana. I still consider Southeast Tennessee my home. My better work is directly inspired by the Southern landscape, the work of visionary "outsiders," agriculture, social, and environmental ironies, and any music with a good story and beat. Although schooled primarily in ceramics, most of my "heroes" were and remain painters, sculptors, poets and songwriters.

From my first few days in the Louisiana 1970's, I was drawn to and overwhelmed by the Mississippi River. It was powerful, filthy, rich with history, and full of industrial choreography. Not quite what I had envisioned via Huckleberry Finn. Yet it demanded a kind of respect and I still walk along, gather and work near it today.

Having digested the possibilities that the artist of the late sixties and seventies proposed, my own ideas began to outgrow kilns and require larger structures, galleries, and outdoor spaces in order to investigate, discover or dramatize the transformation process encompassed in ceramics and art-making. My sculptures, paintings, and installations have become less formal and more narrative. Audio tapes have become an integral part. They include self-penned and produced songs. What results is an ongoing look at ceramics in conjunction with various materials, usually addressing the ephemeral, that points a finger at the givings and misgivings in this land of plenty.

The city of New Orleans continues to stimulate and haunt me. The dice are rolling again on Old Man River. Having to stay on guard and alert has simultaneously heightened my sensitivity to social, political, and basic urban survival skills and "ills." At times, critical laughter is the best medicine. A recent break from the city allowed me to rediscover the Southern landscape and the things and people found in it. In time, I hope to offer more visual comments and add a few "things" to the legacy.

If you make it as far as I have, you probably have a handful of folks who ‘coached’ when it was needed and let you ‘call your own plays’ otherwise. My list includes: Grace Guilford, Jerry Johnson, Billie Nipper, Jere Chumley, David Ledoux, Ken Catbagan and Joe Bova.

This site is dedicated to the memory of: W. B. and Helen Rucker, Charlie Dixon, George C. Carroll, Creighton L. Smith, Harry Ledford and Buddy Bowman.

January 29, 2009

Thanks for passin' through...!

W. Steve Rucker - October 2000