christopher scott brumfield

rhapsody in blue

Artist Statement

“In the city of Karlsruhe, Germany, there is a blue tile path that leads from the porcelain factory to the palace museum. I visited the path about 10 years ago and it lives in my imagination. My thoughts often wander to that path during this past year of darkness; it is helpful to just imagine one tile on the path or sometimes walk the whole path in my mind. Did I mention that there are gigantic ceramic owls hidden in the woods by the path? They are a reminder to me that there are little bits of joy, wonder and surprise hidden along whatever path I choose, but there is also powerful grief.

My work in this show is part of an ongoing exploration of ceramic objects and photo series with collections of blue objects, either found or artist made. The sculpture is about language and figurative form. I am fascinated by the earliest examples of written language and looking at its shape and structure. The similarities between biological systems and the symbols that we use to represent ideas are striking. From microscopic organelles in cells to the largest galaxy clusters, certain patterns repeat. In both ancient cave art and today’s emojis we use symbols to represent our feelings, our ideas, and the things we see in the world. I explore these concepts in wall sculpture made out of porcelain, recycled glass, and glaze.

The photos contain objects that have cultural, personal, and art historical connotations that become more interesting when combined. I believe the intersection of narratives, specifically narratives involving objects, start to paint a picture of cultural and personal relationships to those objects. The photos in the series have individual narratives, that become a Rhapsody when combined. The prevalence of religious narratives involve a reclaiming of the figure of Jesus Christ, as one who represented peace, kindness, empathy, and all the best things about being a human. The current cultural narrative of my country not only misrepresents his teaching but is insulting to the very idea of being a thinking, feeling human.

I am very attached to the color blue because my mother had four boys in three years and she assigned us each a color. My color was blue and I’m stuck to it.” - Brumfield

about the artist

Christopher Scott Brumfield is an artist from South Louisiana who has been working in ceramics since 1994. He finished his graduate studies at Tulane University in 2001 and has participated in over 100 exhibitions, including 14 solo shows. His is currently an Associate Professor of Art at Baton Rouge Community College, where he has taught Ceramics, Sculpture, Pottery, Design, and Art History. Christopher’s artistic practice includes traditional ceramics, conceptual ceramics, installation, photography, and mixed media art. He uses the color blue in his work, because he decided that a lifetime is barely enough time to satisfactorily pursue one color and he is trying to stay focused.

Christopher divides his time between Blue Hill, Maine and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He cohabitates with his husband, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 6 goldfish, and 100 or so house plants.

This exhibition is presented alongside the latest works from Kathryn Baczeski, Rosemary Goodell, & Heather Ryan Kelley. All works from these artists are on view, free of charge, during regular gallery hours (12 - 6 p.m., Tue - Sun) from Jan 31 - Feb 22, 2026.