On View
Mud and Rough Elegance
Dozer (né Jeremy Priola)
July 24-26, 2026
Curated by Rob Sidner
Mud and Rough Elegance presents a selection of ceramic vessels, sculptural forms, and living planter works by artist-craftsman Dozer (né Jeremy Priola). Drawing on Japanese aesthetics and the Mingei tradition, the exhibition brings together objects that balance utility with artistic expression. Earthy surfaces, restrained glazes, and refined forms sit alongside unexpected clay elements that introduce humor, tension, and social commentary. Central to the exhibition are Dozer’s distinctive planters, each designed in dialogue with a specific plant, creating evolving sculptural pairings. Together, the works explore contrasts between roughness and elegance, function and decoration, seriousness, and play.
Dozer (né Jeremy Priola)
Vase
Dozer (né Jeremy Priola)
Buffalo, NY
Dozer, talking summarily about himself, says with enthusiasm: “I can make anything with clay.” Relatively new to his artistic practice as a potter, he feels no limitations with his medium – physical, intellectual, or emotional.
Dozer has been influenced by Japan and by the Mingei movement which sees special beauty in objects of daily use. His commitment is almost entirely to making objects of use, but Dozer’s personal expression of this commitment has a playful, often edgy – even butch – sensibility about it, with incorporation of clay “objects”, including barbed wire, tree branches, chains, skulls, even Prince Alberts. A Japanese aesthetic is at work, too, in the earthy refinement of forms Dozer makes and the unfussy glazes – or no glaze – he uses; but he will, again, often stand this approach on its head by turning vessels into quasi sculpture, filled with social and political commentary.
All of Dozer’s work is a mixture of the useful and decorative, the serious and the playful, the rough hewn and the elegant, the in-your-face and the subtle.
Rob Sidner
Curator
Rob Sidner had dedicated nearly 29 years to Mingei International Museum, serving nearly 17 years as its Director before retiring in 2022. Rob oversaw all aspects of the Museum’s programming and operations, curating 24 exhibitions and preparing three books on parts of the art collection in his own right. The final seven years of his leadership were focused on carrying out with Jennifer Luce and LUCE et studio a comprehensive, 55 million dollar renovation of the Museum, professionalizing further all of its operations and opening up the Museum to its public in exciting new ways. Continuing as colleagues since then, Rob and Jennifer met Jeremy Priola through their mutual friend, New York and San Diego architect Bill Georgis, shaping a lasting connection through their shared passion for craftsmanship and design.
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