“Im not interested in realism, I’m interested in funk.” Artist Wesley Anderegg sculpts clay figures that are both frightening and humorous, based on a lifetime of watching and listening to people. His contemporary ceramic sculptures and figural groups suggest an imaginary narrative that often conveys his social and political concerns. His art comments on issues such as pollution, the degradation of the environment, and the role of government in our everyday lives. "I have always been a people watcher. In the first grade I did not play with the other kids. I stood back and watched. And I have been watching ever since. I watch what people do and imagine what they might like to do. Life and society are such that we cannot always say and do what we like. However, in the imaginary world in which my ceramic people live, they can. At the dawn of mankind primitive peoples fashioned clay objects. They sculpted about what they knew and wanted. Pregnant women and animals were the hot topics of the day. I think of my work much the same way. Though the topics may be different I feel a link to those old people sitting around playing with this beautifully plastic material." Wesley's work can be found in over 20 public collections including the Smithsonian's Renwick Collection. When he's not busy with contemporary craft, Anderegg raises pygmy goats and makes his own pinot noir. LINKS ---Interview on Beautiful/Bizarre ---Podcast Interview on Red Clay Rambler