Marty Kruk

EDUCATION

2000 AA Visual Arts, Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa, Oklahoma

2002 BA Art Education and Ceramics, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

2011 MFA Ceramics, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

2002-2008 Visual and Performing Arts Chair, Art Instructor, Cody High School, Cody, Wyoming

2011–Visual Arts Department Chair, Art Instructor, Flower Mound High School, Flower Mound, Texas

2013–Adjunct Professor, Collin County Community College, McKinney, Texas

BIOGRAPHY 

Marty Kruk is known for functional and sculptural works. Signature forms include cans of various types, especially those for water and fuel. Pieces are often constructed using a variety of techniques. Thrown parts are combined with slab built elements to form the body, and spouts of cans which often feature a variety of low relief textures.

Press molded appendages are applied to the body of the pot to develop shapes of caps, bolts and nuts. Kruk often uses glaze layering to develop overall color. Often layered and strategically removed, this approach gives the appearance of a worn utilitarian vessel.  Hues typically contrast with their metal counterparts seen in daily use. A variety of metal appendages are added post glaze firing, including worn out kiln elements, chains and handles. In addition to can forms, Kruk occasionally produces functional wheel thrown pottery, using a variety of glazing methods.