Chase Gamblin is an artist primarily working in ceramics. Currently, he is an Academic Specialist and Studio Coordinator for the Ceramics Department at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Gamblin received his BFA in Ceramics at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, TN in 2007. He then studied and received his MFA in Ceramics at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. Gamblin traveled nationally and internationally for residencies in Vicchio, Italy (2008), Sanbao, China (2009 and 2012) and University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND (2010-2011), where he also taught as a ceramics visiting lecturer. He also taught at Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN as an adjunct professor while building and putting in place the ceramics program. He has taught several workshops at several institutions including Queens College, University of North Dakota, Vanderbilt University, and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He was a recent invited artist to ceramic collaborations such as ARTKAMP in Cummington, MA and The Pentaculum at Arrowmont in Gatlinburg, TN.
Gamblin works primarily with wheel thrown part, which he then assembles into sculptural vessel forms. He uses several atmospheric firing techniques including wood, soda and salt not only as a means to create surface variation, but also for its ritualistic characteristics. Duality often appears in his work. His pieces are whimsical and elegant yet hard and course; they have small proportions, and are both masculine and feminine. "I use the thrown vessel because I feel that everyone can relate to it in some way, whether it be a mug to drink morning coffee or an urn that holds the remains of a loved on, clay is a part of everyone's experience."