NEIL TETKOWSKI NEWS & UPDATE

(July 21, 2010)

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Through August 21, a one-person exhibition titled Common Ground 2010, by Neil Tetkowski is featured at the new h p g r p Gallery New York at 529 West 20th Street in Chelsea.

The concept of the Common Ground World Project is as relevant today as it was in the 1990’s when the idea was first conceived by Neil Tetkowski. At the heart of this creative undertaking is a simple yet fascinating idea:   collect clay and sand from all United Nations countries, formulate a single “world clay” and create a sculpture celebrating the interconnection of all human beings. Metaphors and symbolism abound as people from every nation participated in this environmental project. At the United Nations, the Commission on Sustainable Development officially endorsed the project to illustrate the interdependence of our planetary ecosystem. In 1998 and 1999 clay samples were collected from every country. The following year the installation of 188 earth samples was on display while the artist constructed the clay mandala sculpture at the United Nations Visitor’s Lobby. For three weeks, participants from every nation were involved in this unique creation event and celebration. In 2002, in its completed form, the World Mandala sculpture was exhibited at the United Nations Visitor’s Lobby. Today with increasing assaults on our natural environment, it is appropriate to reflect on this artist’s provoking work. For the first time Installation 188 and the World Mandala will be on view together. Additionally, Neil Tetkowski has created a new installation titled Oil & Water especially for this solo exhibition at the new h p g r p Gallery.

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Earth, Lake and Steel, a massive 25" disk/collage of ceramic and steel from 1994 was recently accepted into the permanent collection of the Arizona State University Art Museum in Tempe, Arizona.

Petroio, Italy. Photo: Sean Murphy, 2009

2009 - I recently spent some time in Italy. About 35 miles from Siena, near Montepulciano is a small town called Petroio that has a long history of terra cotta ceramics. I was invited by the Foundation of Sienese Museums to make sculpture in the factory. I have deep roots in Tuscany, as I lived in Siena when I was in elementary school. It was a great opportunity to make art, speak Italian and visit with old and new friends.

JAPAN - I was in Japan in January and spent some time out in Kuyshu for the first time. This is my friend in Kumamoto.

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Photo: Linda Kuehne 2008

The structure of the World Mandala outdoors on December 19, 2008.

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Kean University sculpture studio, photo: Donald Lokuta 2008

TETKOWSKI - MYTHOS……a solo exhibition of all new ceramic sculpture was shown at HPGRP Gallery in New York City in the fall of 2008.

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CUBA……In 2006 a solo exhibition of photographs, collage and sculpture was shown at HPGRP Gallery in New York City.

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KOREA - During the fall 2005, Tetkowski's work was shown in China at the BEIJING INTERNATIONAL ART BIENNALE.

The Traveling Museum Exhibition, was featured at the 3rd Ceramic Biennale at the Icheon World Ceramic Center, near Seoul, Korea, April - June. It was the first time "Installation 188" was shown outside of the United States. The theme was Ceramics: The Vehicle of Culture.

I was also invited to participate in the International Ceramic Workshop event at Yeoju, Korea.12 artists from different countries worked in the same studio for 10 days. They have great facilities and many kind university students to help out.

The Koreans are doing amazing things with ceramic art. The exhibitions were beautifully done. It is a pleasure to work with these people.

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January 15 -March 16, 2005 I had a show in New York at Desbrosses Gallery. I called the show "Look Back" because we included works made during the past 30 years. The bronze sculpture GROUND WAR was sold to a collector in Hiroshima.

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Contact Tetkowski Studio:  e-mail

Tetkowski Studio - 1901 Madison Avenue #415, New York, New York 10035-2730