BIO

Born in Lafayette, Indiana to parents of Chinese nationality, ceramicist Beth Lo makes work
about family, culture and language. Her Good Children vessels and sculptures have been
exhibited internationally, and her work has been recognized by fellowships from the United
States Artists and the National Endowment for the Arts. She was a Professor of Ceramics at
the University of Montana from 1985-2016, and is also an award-winning children’s book
illustrator and professional bass player in several musical ensembles.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work in ceramics and mixed media collage revolves primarily around issues of family and my Asian-American background. Cultural marginality and blending, tradition and Westernization, language and translation are key elements in my work. Since the birth of my son in 1987, I have been drawing inspiration from major events in my family’s history, the day-to-day challenges of parenting, and my own childhood memories of being raised in a minority culture in the United States. I use the image of the child to reference innocence, potential, vulnerability and the quality of play. I utilize traditional or popular Asian aesthetics, including calligraphy, origami, Socialist Realist artwork, Chinese food and restaurants, and historical ceramics, often set in contrast to
Western counterparts.