It was on the basis of this wonderful new work that we offered to show his work this September, as part of our Summer of Ceramics.

Last week, Steven delivered to our gallery a body of work that continues the direction he began in March, but has expanded the trompe l’oeil vocabulary beyond the license plates and street signs - to include visual icons of a kinder, simpler America(na). The overall size remains roughly consistent, with new shapes honoring not only Voulkos but also Hans Coper and others... the physical imprint is similar, the psycological impact is much greater.

The significant breakthrough here is once again the development of the narrative power of each work. Deceptively benign, these sculptures have it all - Craftsmanship & Concept: referencing great traditions (the vessel) and makers in Craft - but simultaenously offering powerful commentaries on Political Correctness, Consumer Culture, War & Politics, even the State of Art, while incorporating the iconic (and many long-vanished) images of Route 66 - played off against equally iconic images from Warhol, Jasper Johns, Rauschenberg and Nazi Germany.

We couldn’t be more excited about this work, or more proud to be associated with Steven at this point. Inclosed you will find a printed preview of these fantastic works and the artist’s own description of his thoughts behind the work. Above all, if you can visit the gallery to view, discuss...