Stanley Tong Ceramics
Stanley Tong is an emerging artist specializing in ceramics who operates at the intersection of art and engineering
His series “Thoughts and Prayers” has gained international recognition, sparked reactions from millions, and stirred conversation around the tragedy of gun violence in the US
Featured on:
More to Come!
Featured on CNN International, aired in over 200 countries
Artist’s Bio:
Stanley Tong is a self-taught ceramicist and sculptor whose work bridges the fields of engineering and artistry. Born in the U.S. to Chinese immigrant parents, Stanley draws inspiration from his heritage, Renaissance sculptures, and his engineering background to create pieces that blend technical precision with artistic expression. His sculptures, often crafted in ceramics, explore the tension between motion and material, capturing dynamic contrasts between medium and form. Rooted in themes of personal expression and social impact, Stanley’s work has garnered international recognition for its evocative narratives.
Stanley’s artistic journey gained prominence when he was sponsored by Grammy Award-winning musician DJ White Shadow and Graduate Hotels, where he produced the series “Thoughts and Prayers”, a modern commentary on the gun violence epidemic in the US. His series of vases, which he shot with firearms, remind viewers of the destructive result of gun violence while also calling for reform. The project culminated in a solo show and charity auction, funding gun violence prevention programs that impacted over 750 students.
While pursuing his MBA at Harvard Business School, Stanley continues to create, fusing his engineering expertise with his artistic vision. His work has been featured in high-profile exhibitions and media outlets, including an internationally aired interview with CNN. Stanley remains committed to using art as a tool for social change and as a medium to explore the boundaries of form, function, and narrative.
Artist’s Statement
As an artist, I am driven by the exploration of material, motion, and contrast. My work seeks to bridge the fields of engineering and artistry, pushing the boundaries of form, function, and material. Each piece is a dialogue between the medium and the movement I wish to capture, often contrasting material with form.
Through my use of ceramics, I aim to transform materials that are typically viewed as static into dynamic expressions of energy and change.
Ultimately, my work is about pushing limits—both of the materials I use and of the concepts I explore. I aim to evoke a sense of motion in the static, and tension in the resolved, inviting the audience to see beyond the surface into the deeper layers of meaning within each piece.
Artist CV
Residencies:
Sweet Dreams Society - Artist in Residence, May 2023 - July 2023 | Ann Arbor, Michigan
One of nine artists across the country sponsored by Grammy Award winning musician, DJ White Shadow (Paul Blair), and the Graduate Hotels brand for an art residency program
Worked out of a private art studio in the Graduate Ann Arbor hotel for three months to reimagine my work
Clawson Clay Guild - Artist in Residence, February 2023 - May 2023 | Clawson, Michigan
The first artist in residence for the Clawson Clay Guild
Sponsored by the studio to create new bodies of work and display them at the studio
Exhibitions:
Sweet Dreams Society - Solo Exhibition, July 2023 | Ann Arbor, Michigan
Hosted a solo show featuring four bodies of work: “Thoughts and Prayers”, “Sculpted Cloth”, “Satin Draped Vases”, and “Sculptural Lighting”
Organized, marketed, and hosted a charity auction for the Sandy Hook Promise, using the “Thoughts and Prayers” body of work to fund gun violence prevention programs for over 750 students.
