Murat Sener

About the Artist

Ceramic Artist |Adjunct Professor | Co-founder of MUSZ Studio Murat Sener is a dedicated and innovative ceramic artist whose creative journey revolves around transforming clay into expressive works of art. While clay is at the core of his practice, his work is enriched by influences from other art forms, allowing him to push the boundaries of traditional ceramics. As the co-founder and artist of MUSZ Studio, Sener specializes in various ceramic techniques to produce original and high-quality artworks, each piece reflecting his passion for craftsmanship and storytelling. Sener is also an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he guides and inspires the next generation of artists. In his classes, he opens the doors to new worlds, encouraging young talents to see clay as a limitless tool for creation. He mentors students as they explore their artistic voices, teaching them not only technical proficiency but also how to channel their ideas into tangible forms that speak to both personal and collective experiences. Currently, Sener holds a studio residency at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, one of the largest and most vibrant public art hubs in the United States. Within this dynamic environment, his studio serves as a space where creativity flourishes and artistic dreams take tangible form. Here, Sener continuously experiments with new techniques and ideas, blending tradition with innovation.

Artist's Statement

My practice in ceramics is rooted in a profound and often tension-filled dialogue with the material itself. The clay speaks, sometimes it falls silent; I respond, sometimes I pause; and at times, we both speak at once. It is within this dynamic exchange that my work emerges—through struggle, negotiation, friendship, and moments of intensity. Every piece I create carries traces of this dialogue, embodying a sense of conflict and collaboration simultaneously. In my work, I seek to challenge conventional notions of beauty and widely accepted aesthetic norms. I am drawn to the marginalized, the overlooked, and the silenced, striving to bring these presences to the forefront. My sculptures and forms often confront the unseen or ignored elements of society, articulating their stories and existence in ways that are tangible and visceral. The forms I produce can take the shape of an animal, an abstract figure, a light-filled structure, or a dark, introspective object. What matters most is the dialogue each piece fosters with the viewer, inviting them into a world that might otherwise remain unseen. This process is not merely about creating objects; it is about creating a language of resistance, visibility, and presence. Each sculpture is born out of my engagement with the clay—a negotiation of force, patience, intuition, and spontaneity. The material challenges me, and I, in turn, respond. Through this interaction, my work becomes a reflection of human struggle, connection, and expression. I aim to cultivate works that are both confrontational and inviting, offering glimpses into worlds that are often dismissed or neglected. Through ceramics, I explore relationships between form, surface, and narrative, using the tactile, transformative qualities of clay to evoke emotion, memory, and awareness. Every texture, every contour, and every subtle imperfection speaks to the unpredictability of life and the resilience required to navigate it. Ultimately, my practice is an ongoing conversation between myself, the clay, and the broader social and cultural context in which the work exists. I strive to create pieces that resonate, challenge, and inspire, offering viewers a space to encounter the unseen, reconsider assumptions, and reflect on the richness and complexity of the human experience.