Hello! I’m Vala Zupko
I was born in 1987 in Rantoul, Illinois. I grew up in several different states, including Kansas, Florida, Texas, and Maryland, before moving to Phoenix, Arizona as an adult where I currently reside. I live with my partner, two children, and a menagerie of animals including two dogs, two cats, a lizard, a rabbit, chickens, and quail. I am an avid video gamer and lover of animals. I spend my free time camping, taking care of my animals and garden, exploring the national parks, and showing my Irish red and white setter dogs at dog shows. I am also a strong advocate for mental healthcare and enjoy sharing my personal story of art and mental health with others.
Artist Statement
The world is a brutal place in which constant violence and polarizing ideas dehumanize and segregate us. This disconnect between people can make the future of the world feel quite dim. Clay as a material is still used in much the same way as it has been for thousands of years. This connection to history has inspired me to engage with clay as my art practice.
My art practice strives to heal the divides between people by exploring human emotions and connection through the medium of ceramics. Ceramics hold a dual purpose: utilitarian and sculptural. Through the process of creating work, I participate in active listening, utilizing my own inner voice as well as those around me to facilitate sincere understanding. I use abstract shapes and forms so that the viewer is able to identify with the work as well as creating an awareness of the world surrounding them. By looking at the basic experiences that make us human, my work proposes new ways to reconnect with each other.