Brett Wallerstein
Artist Bio
Brett Wallerstein earned an MFA in ceramic arts at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland in 2021 and a
BFA at Tyler School of Art, Temple University in 1993. He has taught ceramics and art at every grade level
for the past thirty years and was an adjunct professor in the Ceramic/Art Department of Rowan College
of Burlington County. He was an associate artist at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, but in 2024 after
living on the east coast his entire life, he moved to California, to pursue his dreams of living and working
by the ocean as a ceramic artist. His home studio is in Long Beach where he creates his whimsical
oceanic sculptural forms in porcelain inspired by diminutive organic forms that usually contain beautiful
fractal patterns when examined closely.
Wallerstein has participated in regional, national, and international juried shows both solo and group
exhibitions. His porcelain sculptures have also been exhibited several years consecutively at the Trenton
Museum in New Jersey. His work has been numerous publications including Ceramics Monthly, Arts &
Activities, Dwell Magazine, Atomic Ranch, and Modern Magazine: Design, Architecture, & Decorative
Arts, and recently the 2025 Save the Ocean 5 gallery book.
Artist Statement
In an increasingly complex world, my sculptures explore the connection between nature and the
feeling of tranquility through the creation of abstract biomorphic porcelain sculptures. Inspiration
from ordered organic structures and fractal patterns found in nature can be seen in my work,
which can evoke a sense of calmness when appreciating the order that can be observed in
nature. My process and work explore the connection between the feeling of serenity, nature,
abstract biomorphic sculpture, the viewer, and the act of sculpting. Left unglazed, the form’s
surface remains pure and simple, drawing attention to its bold silhouette and graceful
movement. Polished sheens are sometimes produced on the surfaces bringing out the beautiful
characteristics of the porcelain. Inspired by organic structures found in nature like this unique
one, special design features are fabricated in the sculpting process to address the larger goal of
creating work that takes the viewer to a tranquil place.
