Transformer is honored to announce Material Defects, an exhibition of new sculptural works by native Washingtonian, now Richmond based artist Jeff Herrity. The relationship between tradition and innovation forms the heart of Herrity’s artistic practice. Drawing on the slip casting techniques his mother used to create the objects that filled his childhood home, he connects with a tangible past—plaster and mud becoming vessels of memory and heritage. These molds, dating from the 1960s to the 1980s, are not just tools; they are echoes of Herrity’s artistic lineage and the foundation of his visual language.

In contrast, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an experimental partner in his work. While Herrity explores its potential, it remains more a playful sketchpad than a functional collaborator. Its limitations, from an inability to shape clay to a lack of tactile awareness, underscore the irreplaceable qualities of human craftsmanship. For now, AI offers a space for ideation—a toddler’s tentative attempt to help in a world that demands precision and intuition.

“This tension between the imperfect, tactile world of clay and the digital, speculative capabilities of AI forms the basis of Material Defects. This show reflects my curiosity: what would my visual vocabulary look like if AI brought my prompts into physical form? It’s not a deep philosophical inquiry but rather a playful exploration of collaboration with imperfection. Through this body of work, I aim to highlight the unexpected beauty found in flaws—whether born of human hands or digital algorithms—and to push the boundaries of where tradition and technology meet in the act of creation.” – Jeff Herrity

ABOUT THE ARTIST /

Jeff Herrity is a ceramic artist and native Washingtonian. Jeff makes surrealist figurines that are created from vintage plaster molds of angels and other objects that he finds. His work is based on the memories of ceramic figures his mother made when he was younger. His surrealist figurines or ‘dolls’ have become popular collectible items. Jeff’s work can be seen in galleries around the country and he has shown his work internationally. Jeff is a multi-year DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Artist Fellow and Panelist. His work has been purchased for ARTBANK.

Jeff graduated with his BFA from the Corcoran College of Art + Design in 2012, and his Masters in Teaching in 2013. He is a former member of Flux Studios and Red Dirt Studio in Mt. Rainier, Md, part of the Gateway Arts District. In February of 2017 Jeff moved his studio to the District Clay Center. In 2018 Jeff built a studio in Lost River, West Virginia. During COVID, he and his husband, crime writer John Copenhaver moved to Richmond, Virginia.

Jeff Herrity
”Material Defects”
Opening Reception Artist Talk
February 1, 2025