Biography
Seth Birch is an American Craftsman who grew from rural roots in a small town in Ohio. This instilled a love for nature and natural materials. Growing up the younger of two brothers, he got used to second hand-me-downs. From a blue collar family he had ample space and common items to pass the time. Starting with sticks and tapes moving into origami creations, and and beyond these creative outlets helped soothe him as family tensions grew. Always deconstructing and trying to reconstruct in new and different ways with the imagination led him to wanting to always be creative.
Getting his Bachelors degree from Xavier University studying under professor Kelly Phelps and Susan Chouteau, they guided him to want to dive deeper and explore art and the world. Having an endless curiosity has led to the exploration of many mediums. This also fuels and endless fire of exploring other cultures all around the world.
Through a pivotal Windgate Fellowship Seth got the experience a Sculptural steel workshop at Arrowmont School of Art and Craft. This fueled his love for sculpture and the world of craft. He seeks ways to grow in and give back to the craft community while making and teaching.
He currently resides in Maine. Working at The Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.
Artist Statement
Grappling with my past and future self I am an interdisciplinary artist with an eclectic practice. I explore through lines of materials and their meanings, coping with memories, and poking at the mundanity of the world and life around me. I incorporate many mediums to further delve into the outside world and work through my sub-conscience. In this working through of things I like to incorporate the viewer in my process. Heavily influenced by the world around me, materially through reclaim and exploration of local wastes. Salvaging myself through bricolage methods.