Bernhard Masterson | 2020 Art Instructor Show

Bernhard Masterson is a featured artist in The Art Instructor Show, a virtual gallery featuring artwork created by Pacific’s talented art & design faculty.

After beginning with conventional studio ceramics and then circling back to teach art in the public schools I discovered earthen construction. Soon after I began building tiny homes and small structures with an eye towards sculpture. I was drawn to the blend of architecture, art, low carbon construction and the community that often develops around projects. My primary materials are clay soil, sand, straw, manure, mineral pigments, stone and wood.

"I was drawn to the blend of architecture, art, low carbon construction and the community that often develops around projects."
—Bernhard Masterson

In most cases I can source the materials within 50 miles of the project. Larger works generally involve bringing groups of people together to learn and build through hands-on workshops. I use and share generations of techniques developed to build homes and structures all around the world, for example adobe from the southwestern U.S., cob from Wales, or tadelakt from Morocco.

—Artist Statement, Bernhard Masterson