Karen Ami is the founder of Mudhouse Studio, Chicago. It is here that she creates ceramic and mosaic sculpture for large installations, commissions and exhibitions. Born and raised in Illinois, Karen received a BFA from the Boston Museum School and Tufts University and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Studying art abroad in Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean, Karen has conducted extensive research in Pre-Columbian and Mesoamerican clayware and firing techniques. She has exhibited nationally and has won numerous grants and awards for her clay sculptures. Her mosaic pieces are constructed from a combination of Italian and Mexican glass tiles, stained and metallic art glasses, and hand sculpted, glazed ceramic tile. She has created site-specific work for churches and synagogues, schools and public parks, as well as bathrooms and kitchens for private residences. Her work can be found in many prominent collections in the United States and Europe. Karen has taught at the Chicago School of the Art Institute, Gallery 37, and does guest lectures and workshops around the country. Karen lives in Chicago with her large family.

STATEMENT
I create art to illustrate how I see the world, using color, texture, and light. I use mosaic and sculpture as a means of personal expression, a reflection of life experience, and as a tactile language of universal symbolism. I find beauty in the fragments of colored glass, in the sensuality and smoothness of clay, and in the contrast of light and texture. I believe a sense of humor enhances the colorful, amusing, and strange struggles that make us human. I enjoy interpreting and rendering images in a stylistic and fragmented way. Mosaics satisfy my urge to make things whole.

The mosaic pieces are constructed from a combination of Italian and Mexican glass tiles (specifically smalti), stained and metallic art glasses, and hand sculpted, glazed ceramic tile. I create site-specific work for residential and commercial spaces, churches and synagogues, schools and public parks.

I presently teach mosaic courses in Chicago at Mudhouse Studio and give workshops and lectures around the United States.

Karen received her diploma and BFA from The Boston Museum School and Tufts University, and a MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago. She has exhibited nationally and has won numerous grants and awards for her clay sculptures. Karen's work appears in many prominent collections in the United States and Europe. She lives in Chicago with her large family.