Polyhedra, solids bounded by polygons, were studied by the ancient Greeks among other early cultures. The five regular solids known as the Platonic solids were of particular interest. The drawing of polyhedra was widely practiced in the Renaissance by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci. Dr. Fathauer's polyhedra-based sculptures provide a fresh look at these objects, often by combining biological features with the geometric underpinning.

Knots are another mathematical topic that has inspired Dr. Fathauer. While mathematical knots are closed curves with no thickness, ceramic knots of necessity have weight, color, and texture.