Trevor Durr
Artist Statement
The graffiti movement has been one of the largest dynamic forces behind my work as both a street and studio artist. Driven by competition, passion, adrenaline and ego, I approach my studio work in nearly the same way I approach my street art. In both practices I work with ceramics and paints (acrylic and aerosol).
My ceramic pieces derive from the relationship between clay and street art. While combining my love for clay and graffiti, I play with the idea of the “canvas” of street artists. Many street artists create their work on the clay brick canvases of city walls. I take the aesthetics and political natures of street art and transfer them to the multiple ceramic canvases of my own. I achieve this by using clay as both canvas and sculpture, such as ceramic security cameras that are mounted in unlikely places around rural locations, and ceramic iPhones that are created to be left behind as “clayfitti.” Clayfitti allows me to take my ceramic graffiti anywhere to be placed in an environment as a statement and obtainable artifact.
My paintings allow me to have a direct connection to street art. I use stencils and spray paint, which allow me to work quickly and repetitively. With frequently changing imagery my paintings vary conceptually, from the witty jokes of marking my territory to more serious worldwide issues like the pursuit, actuality and questionability of freedom, hope, and justice.
Through street art and graffiti-esque ceramic work I hope to draw attention to cultural, political and social issues that may otherwise be overlooked while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of what is considered “fine art.”
Education
2014
Bachelor of Science in Art
Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR
Related Professional Experience
2013
Ceramic Technician (2011-2013)
Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR
Student Gallery Installation Attendant (2011-2013)
Nightingale Gallery, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR
Professor Aid
Beginning ceramics, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR
2012
Professor Aid
Visual Arts and Literacy, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR
2011
Community Art Camp Pottery Teacher
Halfway, OR
Community Art Camp Painting Teacher
Halfway, OR
Exhibitions and Awards
2010 - present
2010 - present
2013
Exposed, Senior Capstone Exhibition
Nightingale Gallery, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR
2012
The Value of Violence, Junior Seminar Exhibition
Art Center, La Grande, OR
2011
All-Campus Juried Exhibition
Nightingale Gallery, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR
Juror: Marjorie Vecchio, Curator and gallery Director at the University of Nevada
Award: Honorable Mention
Community Service
2013
Shelter from the Storm Ceramic Bowls Donation
La Grande, OR (2011-2013)