Biography:
Austin Navrkal grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a child he spent an enormous amount of time outdoors. He recalls during summers, after breakfast, his mom would give him a paper sack lunch, shoo him out the door and lock it behind him. Rain or shine, he would be outside; digging in the dirt, swimming in lakes, and catching whatever critters he could. He would go on to attend Oklahoma State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree. Originally, Austin studied mechanical engineering, and during his last year he questioned his dedication to the field. Coincidentally at the same time, Austin was taking art classes and found inspiration in his future mentor, Brandon Reese. Austin would gain a passion for art and following graduation he would continue working alongside Reese. His continual presence in the studio earned him a position as the Studio Technician at Oklahoma State. This time in the studio allowed Austin to become proficient in his own studio practices, as well as, the use of many other tools and techniques.
Austin became an active member in the art communities of Tulsa and Oklahoma City post-graduation. He has been a part of the annual show put on by OVAC, Momentum, where he earned an Honorable Mention. In Tulsa, Austin was selected to be a part of multiple solo exhibitions; the Philbrook Museum’s Retail Exhibition and the Director’s Office Exhibition, and a show at Tulsa Artist Coalition. He was also a part of a group show at Liggett Studio where his sculptures were paired with the mix media paintings by Kenzie Adair.
Starting in ceramics, as Austin’s ideas developed so did his art practices, moving into working with wood and metal. Being outside so much as a child, Austin has gained an admiration for the visual and physical energy found within natural occurrence’s; ocean sprays, tornadic storms, and rock formations. Austin finds inspiration in these forces because through observing their tranquil and destructive capabilities there is a perspective of the world gained. A perspective of how everything effects each other, and how everything interacts with one another. His art looks to emphasize the process and interaction of his materials. He finds beauty in the journey and in the accidental and procedural details that occur during the creating. Austin finds fulfillment in making the work, there is a pleasure and meaningfulness to it. A period of self-reflection and meditation.
Austin graduated with his Master of Fine Arts program in 2022 at the University of Montana, in Missoula. Following graduation he earned an Adjunct Faculty position in ceramics at Oklahoma State University, which would lead into becoming the Lab Coordinator at OSU. Austin is currently working to grow his studio practice as an emerging artist.
