Holton Rower (b. 1962) grew up in a family with an artistic lineage in New York, where he still lives today. His work was influenced both by the art of his grandfather Alexander Calder, which surrounded him at home, and by his time working in his father’s construction company, where he gained extensive experience with different materials.
He won recognition in the early 2000s with his Pour Paintings – distinctively colourful compositions created with a pouring technique. However, Rower sees himself primarily as a sculptor. Prominent among his sculptural works are his so-called Cutaways, in which he works with multiple strata of paint each in a single colour, similar to his paintings.
During the pandemic the artist turned his attention to clay. He was inspired to explore the material by his wife, the ceramic artist Maria Robledo. Having initially produced small sculptures, his works today are unusually large compared to other ceramic objects. This new piece, standing over two metres tall, clearly illustrates how Rower has reinvented himself in this medium. The artist otherwise known for his explosive colours does not paint his ceramic sculptures. Their forms seem to be inspired by traditional and religious objects from various cultures, yet at the same time appear both playful and unique. Holton Rower unites apparent contradictions not only in the aesthetic of his work, but also in his way of working, combining spontaneity with precision.
Clay, fired
208 x 66 x 66 cm
Copyright: Holton Rower
Courtesy: Holton Rower
Provenance: donated by the artist
