Bill Heiderich
Bill Heiderich, our CCC artist this week, is a veteran to this competition. His animated forms challenge the boundaries of function and utility and tend to be formal design studies “I attempt to capture a nostalgic feel.”
Heiderich is a builder who has built his last two homes, made furniture, cast bronze and fabricated steel. He has always been fascinated by creating objects. His initial interest in clay started in an eighth-grade summer school class and was supported later in high school by a fantastic teacher Phil Niederhoff. He continued his education at San Jose State University where he got a Bachelors in Art and an MFA in Plastic Arts.
Most of his current work is focused on geometric constructions using low fire clay and glazes fired in an electric kiln. “Almost all of my work is hand built. My favorite part is fabricating elements for a piece. The worst part is when the piece fails and I cannot save it.” Heiderich generally works in a series and has several pieces going at one time.
Heiderich taught ceramics, 3-D design and sculpture for 40 years and developed his work out of the interaction with students. Now that he’s retired he finds it much easier to find the time to play with clay. He has an extensive exhibition record and tries to elevate his good work to very good work. His website is down right now, so enjoy these fabulous works here!
