American
b. St. Paul, Minnesota
Lives and works in Asheville, North Carolina

Eric Knoche had a very bad attitude towards pottery as a child and young adult. Towards the end of his time at university he touched clay for the first time and after that could no long imagine doing anything else with his life. He subsequently worked for two years with ceramist Jeff Shapiro and for six months with Isezaki Jun, Living National Treasure, Bizen, Japan. In 2011 he discovered the Argentine tango and now splits his passions between clay work and dancing. In addition he enjoys playing Sheepshead, collecting pinball machines and checking the cloud formations for the face of Elvis. Eric lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife, Kristin.

My work is constructed mostly from minimally processed clay straight out of the ground. All of my work is wood fired and the surfaces are the result of the dynamic interaction of the materials, forms, placement in the kiln, and firing methods.

Here are some things that influence my work: languages, tools, human and animal anatomy, machine parts, architecture, math equations, small movements of facial muscles, uncertainty, the argentine tango, the spine, memory, perception, cloud formations, plants, gravity, running water, and songbirds.

828-337-2558
eric@ericknoche.com
ericknoche.com

Awards
2018 – Artist Fellowship, North Carolina State Arts Council
2017 – Purchase Award, Delhom Service League/Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
2015 – Purchase Award, Delhom Service League/Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
2015 – 1st Place, Carolinas Got Art, Elder Gallery, Charlotte, NC
2014 – Emerging Artist, Ceramics Monthly Magazine
2010 – Purchase Award, Delhom Service League/Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
2009 – Emerging Artist, American Style Magazine
2008 – Regional Artist Project Grant, Asheville Area Arts Council, Asheville, NC
2008 – Japan-US Artist Exchange Grant, Asian Cultural Council, New York
2006 – Kiln God Scholarship, Laguna Clay Company, City of Industry, CA
2006 – Purchase Award, Concordia Continental Biennial, St Paul, MN

Collections
Asheville Art Museum, Asheville, North Carolina
Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina
Laguna Clay Company, City of Industry, California
Mission Hospital, Asheville, North Carolina