Nickie Gunning is an interdisciplinary artist based in Michigan whose work explores gender identity through ceramic sculpture and found-object assemblage. Their work has been exhibited nationally, including the Cranbrook Art Museum, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Springfield Art Museum, Swope Art Museum and in exhibitions such as Mighty Real Queer Detroit.
Gunning is the recipient of awards including the Frank Swaim Award of Honor and multiple artist residencies, with features in publications such as The Washington Post and Trans Mag. They hold an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art + Design Art StatementMy practice plays to process abjection, a collection of gestural forms inspired by my own body’s movement, wandering through and exploring my environment. By mixing found and personal objects into my ceramic practice, I build assemblages that address identity, poverty, and body image.
Sometimes I throw clay at the wall, sometimes I don't. Much like the objects, I too render the ceramic form unexpectedly at times. As it dries, I wait to vitrify the work as it’s placed on a repurposed chunk of foam like royalty placed on their velvet pillows and thrones. After a series of kiln firings, it becomes durable and fitted with materials—hair, teeth, clothing, wood, plastic, stones, bungee cords, toy bullets, brake pads —I have accumulated these things. Sometimes I find the objects, other times they are offered to me, and rarely were they once mine. The objects can be abandoned, tossed, or cared for, but I adopt and reform them all the same. As I assemble all the components (referencing different parts of me), I dress the ceramics. Brush the hair. Fit the shirt over their head and button up the pants. Roll up some clean socks. They don't match. Slip on the shoes. I build them up, puff up their confidence, and then send them off into the world only to then wipe the tears off their cheeks upon their return. The cycle continues as they grow and develop until it can form the words to speak up and rebel, disagree, argue, scream, catch hands, throw down, blow up, explode. My practice is a dialog with my materials until I can hear the conversation that I need to have with myself. “What the fuck is this?” “How the fuck is this?” “Who the fuck are you?” “Is that a dick?” “... shiny.” “Why the fuck would someone throw this out?” “I can have this?” “Why am I drawn to this?” “Fuck this shit....” The end product of my making is a magnificent mess of emotion and instability. A completed puzzle made from candy flavored gummy vitamins. A child playing in the pouring rain covered in mud with a stupid shit- eating grin on their face knowing all too well that they’re going to have to wash it all off - only after they track the mess inside. What happens with the mess afterwards is up to the viewer. |
Resume and CV can be viewed upon request. Commissions are open. |