Phyllis Kudder Sullivan’s interlaced sculptures bring an over and under system associated with weaving of textiles into the third dimension; from a focus on two dimensional patters and textures of surface into the realm of structure. In her net like structures Sullivan embraces the Japanese concept of Ma, a philosophy maintaining that absences are jest as powerful as presences. The open grid of her “woven” clay coils blurs the distinction between interior and exterior, making the negative space in and through the work an essential element of the sculpture. The unfilled space between the coils allows visual access to the interior, invites the viewer to engage with the inner space and, for those who take the time, provides a deeper appreciation for the power of stillness. Her work is multi-referential with connections to nature, architecture, animal structures and fractal geometry.

In 2019 Sullivan retired as a Full Professor from Long Island University, New York, where she received her M.F.A. with mentor and Bauhaus artist, Rose Krebs.