Peter VandenBerge is known for larger-than-life elongated busts and figures. The rough surfaces are often carved, dug into, scraped and painted with underglaze and stains applied with brushes, sponges, and knives.
VandenBerg began developing these iconic sculptures while teaching at Alfred University (1975). They evolved from earlier vegetable forms, the first of these were containers for food which gradually took on human features. Initially, he built these forms by stacking wheel-thrown and manipulated cylinders. Eventually, he built the figures using coils which allowed for more careful detailing. The coils are often visible. The portrait busts often carry an unusual object on their heads, including houses, cars, boats, numerous different animals or simply a hat.
Other works by VandenBerge
VandenBerge in other collections
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Last updated: April 22, 2026
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