Jeff Metz began working in sculptural ceramics and stone while in high school. After college, where he earned a degree in writing and English literature, he continued his pursuit of competitive road cycling, racing throughout the U.S. on the Pro-Am circuit. Metz revisited ceramics upon moving to Albuquerque, NM in the 1990’s, working for several years restoring and conserving pre-Columbian pottery of the American southwest. At the same time, he continued to develop work in sculptural ceramics as well as devote several years to creating Japanese-style porcelain ware utilizing the Arita method.

In the early 2000’s, Metz began to pursue stone carving in earnest in Santa Fe, NM. The physicality and discipline required over years in competitive endurance sport served as a perfect training ground for this shift to a more physically demanding medium. Equally foundational to this new direction was Metz’ background in writing. The methodical approach required for constructing prose essays and fiction translated well into the subtractive process of stone carving. Metz’ sculptures are designed in the moment, and over time throughout the carving process, an approach guided by a formal syntax and infused with the spirit of subconsciously led decision making.

In 2010, Metz expanded his material range with the addition of steel. Recent work occasionally merges both stone and welded steel elements which has allowed for new variations of the formal vocabulary of his stone carvings. Fabricating work in steel has also facilitated the recent creation of larger scale public works.

Metz was raised in Sudbury Massachusetts, graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina, and has lived in the West and Southwest for the last 25 years.