Craft and Play - Andrew Storie

Tulsa Studio Tour Artist Andrew Storie in his studio

Andrew Storie is the Preparator and Gallery Tech at Tulsa's new Hardesty Arts Center, and though he started with a career in graphic design, Storie continued to hone his skills and creativity in sculpture. A background as a commercial artist led him to favor works that exemplified expertise. "I am interested in concept, craft, and presentation in my work," Storie said, "I like functional and form oriented works in almost equal measures."

Sculpture by Andrew Storie

His interest in craft and presentation, combined with his tendency towards functional objects, leads his sculptures to have a quality of play and interactivity. "I find a great deal of interest in playing and I encourage people to play with the “toys” I make", he says.

His wood-hewn masks evoke an eastern aesthetic, sometimes investigating Japanese mythology; while his sculptures seem to recall an era gone by, when toys were hand-built by artisans. He enjoys involving viewers through interaction, granting them a vehicle to create alongside him. "In a way it allows me to play with all the other kids," says Storie. 

Meet & see the working studio of Storie along with 9 other artists on April 20-21, noon until 5 pm on the Tulsa Art Studio Tour. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org.