Artist Statement

The overarching purpose of my practice has been an effort to find personal fulfillment while living my religion through making sculpture. For the last several years, I have primarily used plants as my subject. I have always loved enveloping myself in nature, and I experienced a significant awakening to the bizarre and wonderful world of flora in Micronesia at a young age that continues to permeate the best of my dreams. The excitement of adventure and discovery has never left me, resulting in the creation of fanciful objects or immersive experiences. The complexity, natural attractiveness, and variety of nature provides an enticing challenge that fulfills a personal and cultural desire to invest labor or careful dexterity into my work. Careful observation of nature has led me to appreciate and even celebrate its more gruesome or unpleasant aspects such as death, decay, and disease. To this end, I have utilized impermanent media such as unfired clay, wax, and metal that decompose or rust while on display. This work has established a foundation of curiosity for an immensely satisfying life-long occupation.

Website

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Committee

• Michael Swaine, Chair (3D4M)
• Doug Jeck (3D4M)
• Ann Gale (Painting + Drawing)
• Adair Rounthwaite (Art History)

Commentary

Read the interview of Andy Romero by Robert Yoder.

Andy Romero fantasizes what beauty can be in a time when beauty is often considered a bit out of style. The memento mori is a genre from the past that he uses with finesse and grace. His giant palm tree, made from unfired porcelain and fitted with a watering system, drips and collapses as we watch. It seems theatrical and overwhelming and yet it so plainly compresses the life cycle as we watch it with nervous anxiety while we consider our mortality. Inspired by nature and his spiritual beliefs, Andy creates work that is honest and fully exposed, allowing us to see his genuine love of his subject and his devotion to producing works that are thoughtful and thought provoking.

– Robert Yoder

Bio

Andy Romero earned his BFA degree in ceramics from Brigham Young University–Idaho and participated in a one-year post baccalaureate program at the University of Florida. Afterward, he worked as a Resident Artist/Studio Technician at San Diego State University. He is the recent recipient of a merit award in the 11th International Art Competition based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was honored to exhibit in the 2020 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition.

Education

• Master of Fine Arts, University of Washington, 2020
• Bachelor of Fine Arts, 3D Studies, Brigham Young University–Idaho, 2012