Bio
Tyler Cieplowski
TSCieplowski@gmail.com
Ig/fb @TSCieplowski
Artist Bio
Tyler Cieplowski is a sculptor who lives and works in Beaufort, South Carolina. He received his Masters of Fine Art from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia in 2018. In his early work his two main bodies of work are primarily inspired by life experiences and nature, for these two themes have consistently reoccurred throughout the artists’ life. While his more recent works are still focused on life and nature, he has added a level of functionality to some of his pieces. Cieplowski grew up surrounded by those who had a natural knack for storytelling, as well as being immersed with the coastal wildlife of the low country region in South Carolina. As an artist, Cieplowski encourages a feeling within the viewer so they are able connect with the subject to view it in their own personal narrative, rather than focusing directly on what the artist is showing them through sculptural form or narrative.
Statement
Tyler Scott Cieplowski
TSCieplowski@gmail.com
TSCieplowski.com
Beaufort, SC
Artist Statement
Tyler Scott Cieplowski produces sculptural objects and installations out of a variety of cast and fabricated materials and often include recorded spoken word stories. The community Cieplowski was raised in immersed him the heart of the South Carolina coast, as well as the traditional spoken word stories, which serve as the inspiration for a majority of his pieces.
In regards to the work that is centered around flora and fauna, Cieplowski begins with selecting an animal or plant that is distinct within a given region. The object is then reproduced in a variety of materials to exemplify the characteristics he wants to call attention to. The detail that is highlighted vary from piece to piece and can reference old wives tails and folklore that are often commonly referenced about the object.
The spoken-word narrative work revolves around family, friends, and the activities that brings these groups of individuals together. I often propose the statement, “tell me a story of friends who have become closer than family,” which leads to a collection of these stories from individuals who were involved or present. After the story is recorded, a detail from the narrative is simplified and the subject matter is translated into abstract shapes. The purpose of abstracting the objects is to make the viewer think about the object and to have them consider the audio that is coming from the sculpture. This also shows that memories are often distorted or altered over a period of time.
Resume
Tyler Scott Cieplowski
TSCieplowski@gmail.com
TSCieplowski.com
Education
2015-2018 MFA in Sculpture, Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design Collage of the Arts Georgia State University, Thesis: Loose Larry: A Binding of Non-Blood Story
2011-2015 BFA in Studio Art, University of South Carolina Beaufort
Teaching Experience
2024 Primary Instructor, Sculpture 3, University of South Carolina Beaufort
2024 Primary Instructor, Sculpture 2, University of South Carolina Beaufort
2024 Primary Instructor, Sculpture 1, University of South Carolina Beaufort
2023 Primary Instructor, Sculpture 2, University of South Carolina Beaufort
2023 Primary Instructor, Sculpture 1, University of South Carolina Beaufort
2023 Primary Instructor, Three-Dimensional Design, University of South Carolina Beaufort
2022 Primary Instructor, Sculpture 1, University of South Carolina Beaufort
2021 Primary Instructor, Art Educator, Lady’s Island Middle School / Beaufort High School
2017 Primary Instructor, Introduction to Sculpture, Georgia State University
2017 Primary Instructor, Introduction to Three-Dimensional Design, Georgia State University
2016 Primary Instructor, Introduction to Three-Dimensional Design, Georgia State University
2015-2018 Graduate Studio Technician/ Monitor, Georgia State University
2016 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Ruth Stanford, Introduction to Sculpture, Georgia State University
2015 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Trevor Reese, Introduction to Sculpture, Georgia State University
2014 Teaching Assistant, Joanna Angell, Demonstration on Wheel Throwing Ceramics, University of South Carolina Beaufort
2013 Teaching Assistant, Joanna Angell, Demonstration on Wheel Throwing Ceramics, University of South Carolina Beaufort
Additional Experiences
2021-2023 ESS Substitute, Beaufort County Schools, Beaufort, SC
2018-2021 Counter Sales and Wearhouse, City Electric Supply- Beaufort, Beaufort, SC
2015-2018 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2016-2017 Studio Assistant, David Landis, Atlanta, GA.
2013-Present
Private Fabrication and Restorations of Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastics
Awards, Honors, and Exhibitions
2022 2022 Faculty Exhibition, Sea Island Center Gallery, Beaufort, SC.
2019 Tribute: A Reunion of Chandler Fellows, Ernest G. Welch Gallery, Atlanta, GA. Invitational.
2018 Better Banking in Bluffton, Lowcounrty Oyster Trail, Shell Art Trail, Bluffton, SC.
2015-2018 Awarded Winnie Chandler Art and Design Fellowship
2018 Thesis: Loose Larry: A Binding of Non-Blood Story, Ernest G. Welch Gallery, Atlanta GA. Solo.
2017 Fever Dreams, Aqua Art Miami, Miami, FL. Invitational.
2017 Trifecta 2.0, Ernest G. Welch Gallery, Atlanta, GA. Juried.
2017 Bearing Witness, Georgia Southern University exhibition space, Statesboro, GA. Juried.
2016 Home Exhibition, Arts Exchange, Atlanta, GA Juried.
2016 Artist Student Union Cagespace public work, Atlanta, GA. Juried.
2015 Student Exhibition at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, Beaufort SC. Juried.
2015 Gallery Representation, Salt Gallery, Beaufort SC.
2014 Student Exhibition at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, Beaufort SC. Juried.
2014 Senior Exhibition at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Beaufort SC. Group.