pierce haley

bio

Pierce Haley graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) in May 2015. He grew up in Orinda California where he graduated from Miramonte High School in 2011. It was at Miramonte where he discovered ceramics and it was Pierce’s father that encouraged him to pursue his passion for art. Pierce’s father is an architect, and his designs have been a major influence in Pierce’s work. His father uses modern mid-century architecture in his building designs, which has been a great inspiration to Pierce.

Primarily, Pierce’s work is designed for residential interiors with a functional esthetic - whether it be a cup, bowl, plate, or even wall tiles. While attending KCAI, he was instructed by professors Paul Donnelly, Cary Esser, and George Timock. While studying at KCAI, he was able to really improve in his ceramics ability and fine-tune his design aesthetic. After graduation from in 2015, Pierce worked with Richard Carter (Carter & Co.) in Napa California as a studio assistant. After relocating back to Kansas City in 2016, Pierce worked at Crane Yard Clay as a sales associate, while teaching ceramics at the Crane Yard studio. He began his tenure at Belger Crane Yard Studio as an Artist in Resident in August of 2018. He is excited to get back to what he loves - working with clay to turn his ideas into a permanent objects.

artist statement

"As a ceramics artist, I thrust myself into my work with unlimited commitment. I can see a finished product in my head and I feel complete when I have brought to life the image in my mind. I have found a true appreciation for the dynamic features of clay. It starts out fluid and more than willing to accept my imposed expressions on it, yet the finished product is rigid and unchangeable. As a son of an architect I am greatly inspired to make objects for the living spaces that he creates. He works in the modern mid-century design movement and growing up surrounded by this style of living space was the catalyst that inspired me to make the objects I create. His keen eye for simple lines inspires me and greatly influences the style of my forms. I am drawn to objects that are very streamlined and clean. My art is driven by the need for functionality, but I express the love I have for architecture in strong, simple lines and shapes. My form making is responsive to a balance in both the horizontal and vertical axis of the objects. I also take multiple geometric shapes and merge them in a complementary way, to create a balanced, three-dimensional piece. With these forms, I use the color of the claybody and over-laid an intricate design using contrasting tones which adds a new layer to my work."