Elliot Kayser

Elliott Kayser is a full-time studio artist based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He received his BFA from Alfred University in 2007 and his MFA in Ceramics from Arizona State University in 2017. His work explores the playful relationship between form and function through animal-shaped vessels that balance utility with decoration. Often inspired by fatherhood, Kayser draws from historical artifacts found across cultures, particularly animal-shaped objects that were cherished and preserved alongside loved ones. These objects reveal the enduring human desire to connect through meaningful, intimate gestures. Blending historical inspiration with a sense of humor and curiosity, Kayser creates sculptural forms that celebrate our connections to animals, our ancestors, and one another.