Shane Lutzk (‘14 Ceramics)
Fine Artist
Ceramicist Shane Lutzk communicates innovation in his work, and leads his students by example. Shane develops his monumental ceramic vessels by integrating the precision and structural components found in diverse architecture. While traveling abroad, Shane was greatly influenced by the historical buildings in Kecskemet, Hungary. His sculptures create a special connection with the viewer, with undulating forms and anthropomorphic scale. In addition to the towering symmetrical sculptures that demonstrate his wheel-throwing expertise, Lutzk builds wall installations and freestanding amorphous sculptures. These smaller objects are also wheel-thrown at first – they are created with cross sections thrown clay. Whether they retain the wheel’s geometry or take on an elastic undulating character through manipulation. Lutzk’s clay conveys a personal message: at the age of nine Lutzk was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Much of Lutzk’s work represents his struggle with the disease. He wants to bring both the ramifications and the positive outcomes that come from diabetes to the public’s attention.
Lutzk completed his BFA in ceramics at the Kansas City Art Institute in 2014. Lutzk earned his Master of Fine Arts at Arizona State University in 2017. His work is in the collections of the Savona Ceramics Museum; Savona, Italy, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art; Kansas City, MO, The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art; Overland Park, Kansas, The Ken Ferguson Teaching Collection at the Kansas City Art Institute. His work has recently been exhibited at Haw Contemporary in Kansas City, Oneroom Gallery in London, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and the Savona Ceramics Museum in Italy.