shae bishop

If you saw from afar what Shae Bishop creates – cowboy hats and other garments – they might not stop you in your tracks at first.

But look closer and you’re sure to be surprised. They’re all made of ceramics – both carefully formed shapes and interlaced ceramic tiles.

“I’m interested in the stories told by what we wear, through history and in our world today,” said Bishop. “Stories that draw attention to the role of dress in communication and personal identity.”

Artist: Born in Summertown, TN, Bishop grew up in Louisville, KY, interested in art. At the Kansas City Art Institute, he earned a BFA, double majoring in ceramics and art history.

During college, Bishop also learned to sew clothing and in 2011, made his first ceramic garment: a coat.

After graduation, he completed a two-year residency at Red Star Studios in Kansas. Bishop then moved to North Carolina, where he worked for a time as studio assistant to sculptor Cristina Córdova and assisted classes at the Penland School of Craft.

Over the years, he has participated in other classes, programs, residencies and workshops in the United States and around the world.

Studio: Bishop now has a home studio in Richmond, VA. He loves it because there is no commute, but he also misses working around other people.

But that will soon change. This summer Bishop will be moving back to North Carolina, where he lived for many years. He is a co-owner of Treats Studios, an arts space in Spruce Pine, NC, and will reestablish his studio there.

“I love the beauty and biodiversity of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” said Bishop. “And the vibrant community of artists in that area.”

In the beginning: Bishop found his passion for ceramics at age eight, when he started taking private classes with a local artist after school, and continued for many years. He attended a public magnet high school in Louisville, where he continued his arts education in a program that exposed him to painting, printmaking, sculpture and textiles.

Art & materials: Ceramic and mixed-media garments, using clay, glaze, string, leather, cloth, metal and other materials ($1,600 for smaller works to more than $10,000 for elaborate and multi-piece outfits).

Garments are made by lacing together hundreds of ceramic tiles with fibers. Each piece Bishop makes is tailored to his body.

Themes:

The relationship between humans and nature, particularly animals like reptiles and amphibians, which are fascinating but often vilified, he said.
The cowboy image, as exemplified by his “Fragile Masculinity” series of ceramic hats.

“I use the cowboy hat as an emblem of traditional American masculinity,” said Bishop. “The image of the cowboy as the quintessential American hero is a tough, self-reliant, gun-toting white man, imposing his justice on an unruly world.”

But, within this image, said Bishop, “there is nuance, paradox and humor in the history of cowboy culture and its contributions to myriad kinds of personal identity.”

“Each piece I make examines a particular element of this complex picture. From the fashions of high-heel boots and floral shirts, to animals as hunting trophies.”

By the numbers:

1,600. The tiles that make up his piece, “Bandana.” (pictured at upper right)
Nearly 2,000. The number of tiles in “A Swimsuit to Wear While Looking for Hellbenders.”
30. The number of ceramic hats that Bishop has made since he started the series in 2021.

Tools: “The X-acto knife is my most-used and favorite tool of all time,” said Bishop. “I use the classic #11 blades for cutting clay tiles, trimming my clay hat brims, cutting paper templates, cutting leather, and anything else you can think of.”

Inspirations:

Hungarian Secession architectural tilework of the late 19th century.
1940s and 1950s country music stage outfits by Nathan Turk and Nudie Cohen.
1760’s to 1860’s European men’s embroidered waistcoats.
Sindh mail and plate armor of India and Pakistan.
20^th-century American zoology illustrations from educational books and field guides.
Palissy ware ceramics.
Alexander McQueen’s fashion.
Vintage circus and rodeo posters.

“I am a big nerd for art and craft history, and this passion is a driving force in my artwork,” said Bishop. “I do background research for every piece I make, so my sources and inspirations are myriad.”

Fun commission: Bishop’s partner, Annie Evelyn, is a furniture maker and they sometimes collaborate.

In 2017 they were commissioned to make a set of three curved benches with hardwood frames and seats of glazed, patterned porcelain tiles.

“It was a fun but very challenging project we worked on over a six-month period,” said Bishop.

Recent honors:

In fall 2025, named a James Renwick Alliance Distinguished Artist. His Rhinestone Rattlesnakeboy suit )picutured at top) is currently on display in the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, as part of the exhibition State Fairs: Growing American Craft.
His work was featured in an article and on the cover of the April issue of Ceramics Monthly magazine.

Recent project: Started making a new group of ceramic hats about hunting, fishing and the contentious symbolism of taxidermy animal trophies. These pieces are adorned with realistically glazed three-dimensional fish, birds and deer antlers.

What’s new:

A show, “Second Skin” at Belger Arts in Kansas City, MO. Through May 2.
A “Case Study” exhibit at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX. Through August 29.
Making functional ceramic diving helmets, a project he started during his residency at Kohler in 2024.

What’s next: “Passing the Frontier,” a group show at Visions West Contemporary gallery in Livingston, MT. Opens June 2.

Where to buy: Contact the artist at shaebishop@gmail.com about works or commissions.

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