My current body of work explores ideas of intimacy, separation, grief and memory through ceramic and unfired clay sculptures called Floops. This work finds its roots in my subconscious and touches upon the fundamental transformation of interpersonal relationships through time, the coping mechanisms used to bring closure to traumatic experiences, and the incredible toll of the human condition. The forms themselves are inviting, characterized by soft colors and playful expressions. It is through the use of the violent process of pit firing or the ephemeral nature of unfired clay that the objects are given histories or lifecycles, transforming them into manifestations of the more somber ideas prevalent in this work.
Michael Guerra Foerster is an artist living and working in San Antonio, Texas. Michael received a BFA with a concentration in ceramics from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2018, has studied at Haystack and Penland Schools of Craft, and has exhibited nationally, including creating temporary and permanent public art pieces in San Antonio. Michael is also currently a visual arts instructor at SAY Sí (San Antonio Youth Yes) where he teaches middle and high school-age artists, who in turn regularly inspire and inform his work. The curriculum he co-creates focuses on creating elevated and original artwork, while also focusing on social justice and community centered action.