Brian Peters
Background
I am a spatial artist, designer and fabricator based in Pittsburgh, PA. I earned a Bachelor degree in Studio Art, a Master’s of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Master’s of Advanced Architecture from the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalunya, in Barcelona, Spain. I have taught and practiced around the world, including Chicago, Barcelona, and Amsterdam.
Artist Statement
My passion lies at the intersection of architecture, art, and fabrication, and my work explores patterns, textures and forms that show evidence of both the artist’s hand and the marks of the tools used. I am not interested in the perfection of machine-made objects, but rather the art of integrating digital coding, custom-built technology, contemporary aesthetics and natural clay.
I am fortunate to have been invited to exhibit work around the world, including in the Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco and the New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum in Taiwan. I have also completed a number of commissioned projects, including one funded by the National Endowment of the Arts. My work in 3D printed ceramics is widely publicized and has received several prestigious awards.
Select Awards'
2021 NYCxDESIGN Awards (Dimensional Art category) Finalist. Hosted by Interior Design Magazine.
2015 Design Innovation Award, Fast Company Magazine, 3D Printing Category
2014 R+ D Award, Architect Magazine
2013 A+ Architizer Award, Architecture+Materials Category
2012 Activate Design Competition Winner, Architecture for Humanity, Chicago Chapter
2009 Design Award, American Society of Interior Designers – Illinois
Brian’s exploration into 3D printing ceramics started during a ceramic residency while living in the Netherlands. 2012.
A blend of digital design + fabrication with traditional hand techniques
I am both at the cutting edge of digital fabrication and linked to the tradition of ceramics. I am motivated by a love of experimentation and a passion for creating work that tells a story and delivers impactful experiences. Understand my artistic process below.
1 / Inspiration
I am inspired by the intricacies of flora, the artistry of patterning, and the complex geometries of contemporary forms. There is beauty in our surroundings and I seek to bring it to life.
For commissions, I seek inspiration in the unique contexts of projects, such as local flora, the ornamentation of adjacent historic landmarks, or the geometry of the interiors and exteriors that my work will complement.
2 / Digital development
Once I develop a pattern and form that inspires me, I translate my two-dimensional sketches and drawings into digitally modeled 3D geometries that will be materialized in space. My parametric design process allows me to explore scale, dimensionality, and the link between the overall form and intricate infills before I begin working with the physical material.
3/
Experimentation + Fabrication
A key aspect of my work is experimentation and prototyping. I enjoy physically hacking existing machines and all my work is made on 3D printers I built. I spend hours in my studio experimenting with clay bodies, scales, geometries, connections, and glazes. Each final piece is the result of countless prototypes.
For commissioned projects, clients are provided with final prototypes for approval upon request.
4/
Hand Refinement + Firing + Glazing
I am not interested in the perfection of machine-made objects and the imprint of my hands is evident in the details, since each piece is refined by hand once it leaves the printer. The pieces must then dry for several days before kiln-firing. Once bisqued, they are removed from the kiln, glazed by hand through traditional artisanal methods (if applicable), and then kiln-fired once again.
5/
Coordination
I have extensive experience coordinating the integration of my site-specific work into projects. This includes collaborating with clients, architects, and interior designers at the outset of a project, working with engineers during design development, and working with general contractors and masons/tile installers to ensure a smooth installation.
6/ Packaging & Delivery
I consider the logistics of shipment, installation, and maintenance from the outset of a project.
Projects within a 50 mile radius of my studio in Pittsburgh are often delivered by me; projects outside this range are shipped from my studio to the client. Either way, the work arrives clearly labeled, protected, and ready for installation.
7/ Installation
For large scale projects, I include a detailed graphic and set of step-by-step installation instructions. I can also be contracted to supervise installers, ensuring a smooth system installation. I also provide ongoing maintenance instructions, though you can be confident that using ceramic means my work is color-fast and easy to clean using standard cleaners.