Stephen Mullins works in clay as both material and message, using its malleability as a foundation for exploring American identity and cultural memory. His current body of work draws from historical Americana imagery to open a dialogue between modern ceramic practices, U.S. cultural iconography, and the long history of human engagement with clay. Over time, this series has evolved into a more pointed commentary on contemporary issues, using familiar symbols to examine topics such as cultural appropriation, gender and racial bias, inequality, and power.Each piece is part of a larger effort to connect the past to the present through form, surface, and image. Mullins views this ongoing series as a kind of collective autobiography; a reflection on where society has been and where it is now. His studio practice includes research into cultural shifts, American mythologies, and the continued relevance of historical imagery in today’s landscape.Mullins was born and raised in Gillette, Wyoming, in the heart of blue-collar coal country. He holds a BFA in Studio Art and a BA in Art Education from the University of Wyoming. In 2018, he founded Red Bison Studio in Sheridan, Wyoming, where he continues to produce functional ceramics and lead community classes. He splits his time between running the studio’s production line and working late nights on one-of-a-kind narrative works that carry forward both personal and cultural stories.