Trey Hill
BIOGRAPHY
Trey Hill is a professional sculptor and Professor at The University of Montana where he teaches sculpture and ceramics. He received his BFA from Bowling Green State University in 1999 and his MFA from San Jose State University in 2002. His work has been shown in galleries and museums throughout the United States and internationally. Trey has extensive travel and creative experiences through his vast artist residencies including: The Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT; the LH Project Joseph, OR; Da Wang Cultural Highlands, DaWang, China; HAP Studios, Beijing, China; Fule International Ceramic Art Museum, Fuping, China; and the Rojal Art Laboratory, Roja, Latvia.
artist statement
The central form in my current body of work is an idealized tree, inspired by Greek and Roman classical sculpture. Historically, such trees were used to support fragile marble figurative sculptures, preventing the sculptures from breaking at the ankles. Often overlooked by viewers who are absorbed in the exquisite carving of the human form, this structural element plays a crucial role in preserving the integrity of the piece. I find this an apt metaphor for the many subtle, often invisible ways we support one another.
Support and structure are the central themes of my work. I use clay, steel, and wood to explore these ideas, recognizing that each material can be both flexible and rigid, much like our interactions with one another. This work celebrates those quiet, unseen moments of mutual support—acts that, in these turbulent times, are more important than ever.
My building process is one of control and structure, yet this control gives way when the surface is applied. As the liquid underglaze flows over the form, gravity pulls it towards the base, creating an unpredictable surface. This interaction between form, underglaze, and gravity reflects the delicate balance between what we can control and what lies beyond our influence. Through this process, I seek to evoke the fragile beauty of the exterior, which often masks the emotional depth and strength of the support hidden beneath the surface.
PAST EXHIBITS
