David Bogus, who graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a Master of Fine Arts in 2004, is one of six artists named as 2015 Emerging Artists by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA).
"I am both humbled and appreciative to receive the NCECA Emerging Artist Award this year in Providence," Bogus said. "This accomplishment not only highlights me and my work, but is a testament to the quality of my education. Specifically the professors I had the privilege to work with at UNL—Gail Kendall, Peter Pinnell and Eddie Dominguez, who gave me the support I needed beyond my degree to achieve so many of my accomplishments, and this award is the most coveted opportunity that has been bestowed upon me."
As part of his selection, he will have an exhibition of his work and give a talk at the NCECA National Conference March 25-28 in Providence, Rhode Island.
“This is THE major award for early and mid-career artists in ceramics,” said Pete Pinnell, chair of the UNL Department of Art and Art History. “It’s a really nice kudo for David.”
Bogus received his BFA Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. He is currently assistant professor of art at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, where he has been since 2010. He is also the gallery coordinator and curator.
His recent solo and two-person exhibitions have included “Marooned” at the Sarah Doyle Gallery at Brown University in 2014 and “Material and Interaction: Angela Carbone & David Bogus” at the Olin Art Gallery at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania.
His recent group exhibitions have included the Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale at the Icheon World Ceramic Center in Korea in 2015 and “Art Connections 11” at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey.
In his artist statement, he writes, “My creative process is cultivated through identity exploration and self-discovery. My practice is a combination of risk taking and experimentation. It includes both the artistic process and a constantly shifting personal narrative. In the studio, critical thinking and problem solving are directly linked to the exploration of individuality. Places inhabited, people encountered, and investigations of materials and process influence content, giving form to the concepts of my creative identity.”