Is the artist still alive and actively making craft sculpture in this style?

You’re asking a question that many art lovers and collectors quietly wonder when they encounter a striking, handcrafted sculpture: *Is the artist still alive and actively making craft sculpture in this style?*

The short answer? It depends on which artist you have in mind. But more broadly, yes—many pioneering craft sculptors from the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s are still alive and working, and a new generation of makers has also emerged to carry the torch.

Let’s take a friendly look at how to find out.

First, consider the material. If the sculpture is made from carved wood, hand-built ceramics, or woven fibers, the artist likely invested years mastering that medium. Artists like Betty Woodman (ceramics) worked into their 80s, and while she passed in 2018, her active studio produced iconic brightly colored vessels. Today, artists such as Cristina Córdova (ceramic figurative sculptures) and Ursula von Rydingsvard (carved cedar forms) are very much alive, creating in their studios, showing in galleries, and teaching workshops.

Second, look at the style. Is it biomorphic? Geometric? Does it reference African, Indigenous, or modernist traditions? Many sculptors who began in the 1970s craft movement are still active—think of Dale Chihuly (glass) or Martin Puryear (wood and mixed media). For lesser-known regional makers, check their exhibition history: if the artist had a solo show within the last three years, they’re likely still alive and active.

Third, use reverse image search and check the gallery label. Contemporary craft sculpture often circulates through smaller galleries like Ferrin Contemporary, browngrotta arts, or local craft cooperatives. A quick search for the artist’s name + “studio” or “current work” usually reveals social media pages, recent commissions, or studio sale notices.

That said, some beloved artists have passed away, but their styles live on through apprentices or family members. For instance, the iconic slip-cast porcelain style of the late Dorothy Hafner is now carried on by former assistants who maintain her playful, colorful aesthetic.

So, is the artist still alive and actively making craft sculpture in this style? Chances are good—unless the work dates from the 1970s and the maker was older then. But either way, the craft lives on, whether through the artist’s own hands or those they inspired.

If you’d like, send me a photo or description of the sculpture you’re curious about—I’d love to help you track down the artist and their current practice.