Joe Bova

Artist's Statement:

Originally from  Houston, Texas, I now live in Santa Fe.  After the Air Force (1960-1964), I attended the University of Houston (BFA, 1967) and the University of New Mexico (MA, 1969).

My work in ceramics, using animal imagery, was first inspired by the realities of hunting and fishing, and later by their power as symbols, surrogates and totems. 

My first teaching position was at Nichols State University, Thibodaux, Louisiana. I taught at and contributed significantly to the programs of Louisiana State University in the 70s and 80s and Ohio University beginning in 1990.  My later work continues an underlying eroticism inspired by Moche pottery in addition to an increased sense of socio-political content. 

My work can be found in the collections of the Arizona State University Art Museum; Greenville Museum of Art, Greenville, SC; International Ceramics Studio, Kecskemet, Hungary; Los Angeles County Museum, Los Angeles, CA; Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, NC (two works); and the San Angelo Museum of Art, San Angelo, TX.

I am a past president and a Fellow of NCECA, and I was awarded the NCECA Excellence in Teaching Award in 2006. Other awards include the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art Fellowship, 1980, an SAF/NEA Fellowship, 1985, several university sabbatical awards, and a fellowship to the International Ceramics Studio (ICS) in Kecskemet, Hungary, 2004. The International Academy of Ceramics, Geneva, elected me a member in 2005.

I have been awarded a Fulbright to Ireland for 2011.  I was at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin for 3 months. Work on this page comes from that the period in Ireland.
A decades-long association with Penland includes a term as Chair of the Board of Trustees. Visiting artist appointments have included the NY State College of Ceramics at Alfred, University of Georgia’s Cortona Italy Program, Haystack School in Maine, Penland School in North Carolina, the Rhode Island School of Design, and Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Colorado.

My work and teaching has led to extensive travels through Latin America, Europe and China.  In 2008 I returned to the ICS in Hungary and again in 2010.