Biography

Oscar Sloop is a 24-year-old potter from Portland, OR. He started making pottery in high school under Andrew Butterfield, where he was lucky enough to fire at the East Creek Anagama. This cemented his love for ceramics. He continued his career while working on his BFA at Montana State University under Josh DeWeese.  Besides his passion for ceramics, he is an avid outdoorsman who loves hiking, skiing, climbing, and camping. 

Artist Statement

I aim to bring the landscape into people's everyday lives, connecting them to their home terrain with functional objects that are natural and ethereal. My pots are fired in a wood kiln, a process as old as ceramics. In using the land’s resources to fire a kiln - flame, wood ash, and atmospheric conditions mark each piece uniquely. The unpredictable influence highlights the organic qualities of the clay and speaks to the beauty inherent in our earth. My pieces are not just functional forms, they are an exploration of the relationship between material and region, creator and user. They honor an ancient craft while bringing our earth to life in a contemporary light.