Philip Spyrou is a ceramicist and first year PhD student in the department of structural biology at Stanford University. His ceramics are based in a commitment to refining and mastering the embodied practice of wheel throwing and the production of functional vessels. Philip’s ceramic sculpture emerges naturally from his engagement with the medium, and is best described as a series of explorations into the unique material properties, mental states, and phenomenology of a long term and meditative engagement with porcelain and other ceramic materials.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

 

Stanford University, Doctorate of Philosophy, Structural Biology                                                     2025-Present

 

Bowdoin College, Bachelor of Arts, Visual Arts and Chemistry                                                                      2025

 

 

Exhibitions

 

Metamorphosis, Senior Thesis Exhibition, Edwards Front Gallery, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME         2025

 

Managing Mortality, Solo Exhibition, Edwards Front Gallery, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME                2025

 

Visual Arts Open House Exhibitions, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME,                                              2022-2025

 

Portraits of the Aegean Sea, Next Up 2021, Page waterman Gallery, Wellesley, MA                                      2021

 

 

Honors and Awards

 

Richard P. Martel Jr. Memorial Prize, Visual Arts Department Senior Prize, Bowdoin College                     2025

Fall Research Award, Bowdoin College                                                                                                            2024

G. L. Bridge Award for Excellence in Ceramics, Noble and Greenough School                                               2021

Next Up 2021 1st Place in Sculpture, “Self Portrait of the Aegean Sea”, Page Waterman Gallery                2021

 

 

Ceramics Experience

 

Pottery Studio Manager                                                                                               September 2024 – May 2025

·      Provided technical advice to pottery center students, managed kiln firings, glaze compositions, clay reclaim and taught weekly classes in wheel throwing and hand building

·      Maintained studio materials, cleanliness, and safety

 

Sculpture Teaching Assistant                                                                                       September 2024 – May 2025

·      Provided technical and conceptual advice to students in Sculpture I, and assistance to Visual Arts Chair Jackie Brown

·      Maintained studio materials, cleanliness, and safety 

 

 

Porcelain Ceramics Independent Study, Bowdoin College                                    September 2024 - January 2025

·      Independent studio work in porcelain ceramics under the advisement of Visual Arts Chair Prof Jackie Brown

·      Created an installation of over 400 porcelain leaves and crushed them underfoot with the audience during a solo exhibition

·      Created a series of artifact

 

Pottery Studio Member                                                                                                September 2021 – May 2025

·      Practiced and maintained skills in ceramics within the community pottery studio