Jeff Nebeker was one of the first Funk ceramic artists to perfect the use of pastry tools in clay sculpture. Finding the formula to adhere the wet clay squeezed from pastry tools onto the sculptural, hand built clay body of his form, and an interest in food subjects from 1970's Pop Art, has led him to produce an amazing array of life-like cakes, confections and portraits of artists as pastry chefs and apprentices. Nebeker is both an accomplished ceramist and pastry chef. He draws visual parallels between frosting, decorating and baking a cake to hand building, glazing and firing a clay piece, as far as patience, creativity, and technical skill are involved. His work acknowledges the fine art involved with being a professional pastry chef and cake decorator, as well as reference Pop Artists, Claes Oldenburg and Wayne Thiebaud, among others. His figurative works are ceramic.

With a keen eye for color rhythms and playful gestures, Jeff Nebeker’s creations often reflect the aesthetic sensibilities of modernist art. However, unlike the traditional artistic medium, his ceramic pieces offer an experience of sharing favorite foods with others. He has an extensive range of work, ranging from his original “concoctions” to reimagined classics from famous chefs.

Nebeker is an alumnus of the University of California at Davis where he studied ceramics under renowned professors Robert Arneson and David Gilhooly. He also delved into art history under the tutelage of Wayne Thiebaud. Nebeker's work frequently integrates his knowledge and experiences in both pastry-making and painting, giving him a unique edge in his ceramic creations. He often incorporates elements of the pastry-making process, such as wax paper, baking grounds, and cellophane, as part of the finished product.

Jeff Nebeker reaches works in unknown territory by using the craft of and food traditions that are shared by so many of us every year, both utilizing the foundations of this culture and broadening it artistically.                            

Jeff is reperented by ELLIOTT FOUTS GALLERY. If you are interested in purchesing any of his artwork please
contact the gallery at efgallery.com