Evolving ceramic arts

 

 

T-A-C-Colenbrander-1921-Netherlands

T.A.C Colenbrander vase, Netherlands

1921

 

Elisabeth-Schmidt-Pecht,-Konstanz-1900

Elisabeth Schmidt-Pecht

Konstanz, Germany, 1900

 I added these first two vases because I consider them to have a highly innovative design relative to the date of their production.

 

Art of clay

 

Just as our Earth gifts a perpetual abundance of malleable clays and minerals that can be transformed into expressive forms, displaying a wide variety of natural colours and textures, ceramic artists keep discovering more creative possibilities for the malleable substance. The fact that clay vessels, as vehicles of consumption, are sourced from the same earth that our basic sustenance arrives from is a reassuring harmonic and maybe a reason of its enduring appeal.
Clay provides a natural, decorative medium that is a receptive, three-dimensional canvas, that readily absorbs paint, is durable and responds readily to manipulation and shaping. Over the ages the use of pinch pots, wheel throwing, coil construction, slab building and moulding have been stalwarts of clay production methods and are still used to craft functional and decorative wares. A tactile odyssey of various surface finishes is rendered possible by the available materials and firing processes, delivering an array of surfaces ranging from coarse textures arising from glazes that are frothy, bubbling, foaming, fissured and jagged to smooth, even and flat surfaces.
Using further enhancement after manipulation of form with techniques like incision, glazing, reduction firing, carving, slips and engobes leads to endless possibilities. It is to be expected that ceramicists quite often draw inspiration from nature and explore the inherent natural colours and textures in clays and create forms that look organic.
Here we examine some recent contemporary innovations in the ceramic arts and also look at some classic antique and vintage pieces.

 

This post will feature ongoing updates loaded from the top.

 

 

Zuni Indian Pottery Hand-Coiled-Frog Seed Pot-by Marcus Homer

Zuni Indian Pottery Hand-Coiled-Frog Seed Pot by Marcus Homer

 

 

Gourd art Whitney Peckman botanical decoration

Gourd art Whitney Peckman

 

 

Venaktum West German Pottery mid century

Venaktum West German Pottery

 

 

Mikhail Fomiryakov Vase Waterfall 2000 incised ovoid vessel with twin lugs

Mikhail Fomiryakov ‘Waterfall’ Vase

2000

 

 

Helen Martino slab built vase with abstract splatter decoration

Helen Martino vase

 

 

Elizabeth Fritsch, Quantum Pocket II,-1992, Geometric cubist pattern

Elizabeth Fritsch, ‘Quantum Pocket II’

1992

 

 

Clare-Wakefield-ceramic vase

Sculptured vase – Clare Wakefield, England

Clare Wakefield Ceramics

 

 

 

Derutamajolica-etsy---virgins-klim ceramic tile

Derutamajolica-etsy — ‘Virgins Klimt’ hand painted ceramic

 

 

Peter-Fitzgerald---Bemused- sculpture --SculptGallery

Peter Fitzgerald — ‘Bemused’  carved sculpture

SculptGallery

 

The 1930 'Egyptian Maidens' mural by Elsa Vick Shaw, a Cowan artist, was recently restored

Recently restored  ‘Egyptian Maidens’ ceramic mural by Elsa Vick Shaw, a Cowan artist

1930

 

Betty Woodman

 

Bettty Woodman was one of the first females to blaze a trail into the male dominated world of pottery in the 50’s. She developed her craft making dinner sets and decorative crockery, but from the 1950’s onwards, she moved into the realm of sculpture. Her unrestrained, spontaneous and vibrant pieces now occupy museums and art galleries globally. At the age of 85, Woodman is still creating work in her studios in Chelsea in New York and a farmhouse in Tuscany. Her ideas appear while she is making rather than while sitting, thinking and planning. The more she creates, the “more I am inspired and the more one thing leads to another. I’m not interested in repeating myself.”

 

House-of-the-South,-Betty Woodman-glazed-earthenware,-epoxy-resin,---MET

‘House of the South’ – Betty Woodman

Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, – 1996 – MET

 

 

David-Kordansky-Gallery--BEtty-Woodman sculptured pottery

‘Vases and Girls’ – Betty Woodman

2010

David Kordansky Gallery

 

David Kordansky GalleryTea Ceremony - 4 Parts, 1984, glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, - Betty Woodman

‘Tea Ceremony – 4 Parts’, 1984, glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, – Betty Woodman

David Kordansky Gallery

 

Betty-Woodman--Roman-Fresco-Pleasures-and-Places,-2010,-American-Academy-in-Rome,-Rome,-Italy

‘Roman Fresco Pleasures and Places’ – Betty Woodman

2010,  American Academy in Rome, Rome, Italy

 

Rose et Noir Pillow Pitcher,Betty Woodman - glazed earthenware,epoxy resin,,lacquer, paint David Kordansky Gallery

‘Rose et Noir Pillow Pitcher’  —  Betty Woodman

glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint

David Kordansky Gallery

 

 

BETTY WOODMAN=-HisHers Vases River Viewing Studio Screen, 2004, glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, 29 x 72 x 9

Betty Woodman  —  His/Hers Vases River Viewing Studio Screen, 2004,

glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, 29 x 72 x 9 inches

 

 

BETTY WOODMAN Piattaia,-2014,-glazed-earthenware

 ‘Piattaia’, Betty Woodman

2014, glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, canvas, wood, 65 x 60 x 12 inches

David Kordansky Gallery

 

The-Portuguese-in-Japan,-2000 by Betty Woodman

‘The Portuguese in Japan’ by Betty Woodman

2000

 

 

Tanzania, 2014, glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, cement, Height 34inches by Betty Woodman

‘Tanzania’, Betty Woodman, 2014

Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, cement, 34.5 inches

David Kordansky Gallery

 

 

Tanzania,-2014,-(alternate-view) by Betty Woodman

‘Tanzania’, Betty Woodman, 2014  (alternate view)

Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint, cement, 34.5 inches

 

 

Matthew Blakely, UK

 

Matthews ‘rock glazed’ ceramics represents the personal development of an understanding and a bond with the landscapes of Britain, illustrating the ceramic qualities of the rocks and deposits around the country. His aim is to create another way of looking at the land on which we live by making ceramic pieces that are entirely created from rocks and minerals that he has collected from individual locations. Each piece is an illustration of the ceramic and geological character of that place.

 

Matthew-Blakely-tall-bottleRain-Jar with blue streaks

Matthew Blakely – tall ‘Rain Jar’

 

Matthew-Blakely---Fractured-Jar--advanced-ceramics-pottery-tools-(1)

Matthew Blakely – ‘Fractured Jar’

 

 

Matthew-Blakely-ceramic-globe-vase with white sideway drip glaze

Matthew Blakely ceramic globe vase with white sideway drip glaze

 

Matthew-Blakely-=rock-glaze-cup UK pottery

Matthew Blakely

 

 

Matthew-Blakely-DK-AP1

Matthew Blakely  —  Globe vase

 

 

 

 

Wouter Hoste, Belgium

 

Wouter Hoster-Meteorite-3

Wouter Hoster – ‘Meteorite 3′ – Meteorite Series 2017

Wouter Hoste

 

 

 

Wouter Hoste Ceramics-Meteorites Arrival

Wouter Hoste Ceramics – ‘Meteorites Arrival’  lamp

Wouter Hoste

 

 

Wouter-Hoste-Nostromo-Series ceramic vessels

Wouter Hoste -‘Nostromo Series’

With Gold and Palladium luster details.

 

 

 

Nostromo setting - 'Nostromo 15 Lamp' contemporary decor

Nostromo setting – ‘Nostromo 15 Lamp’. With Gold and Palladium luster details.

Wouter Hoste 2016

 

 

Wouter-Hoste-Ceramics-Lunar-Metal-Moon-vessel

Wouter Hoste Ceramics – Lunar Metal Moon sculpture

 

 

 

MOUGIN---vase-art-deco-craquelé with nude female relief

Mougin, France — vase art deco craquelé

 

 

Gallery of nature inspired clay sculptures and ceramic art by Babette Harvey

Nature inspired clay sculptures and ceramic art by Babette Harvey

 

 

Babette-Harvey--ceramic-plate with dragonfly and flowers

Nature inspired clay sculptures and ceramic art by Babette Harvey

 

 

Mariko Okubo, Kyoto

 

Mariko Okubo---Prayer-2014

Mariko Okubo — ‘Prayer’

2014

 

 

Reminisence-2017---Mariko-Okubo ceramic panel

‘Reminisence’  —- Mariko Okubo

2017

 

 

Mariko-Okubo-blue vase - Flower Base

Mariko Okubo – ‘Flower Base’

 

Paul Scott

 

Paul Scott is a Cumbrian based conceptual artist who remodels discarded ceramic shards to create new iterations. Some are recreated with the ancient Japanese kintsugi tradition of using gold and lacquer to rejoin the pieces or he just combines broken pieces to refresh the context and artistic presentation. His rescued pieces, from a combination of Chinese Willows and other blue transferwares, makes them again appear to be beautiful, functional, and intriguing. He has been Professor of Ceramics at Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO) since 2011.

 

 

Mended ceramic aesthetic - Paul Scott blue and white porcelain

Mended ceramic plate aesthetic – Paul Scott

 

 

Paul-Scott,-Scott-Cumbrain-Blue(s),-Fukushima-No-5,-2015

Cumbrain Blue(s), ‘Fukushima No 5′  —  Paul Scott

2015

 

 

the-aesthetics-of-mended-ceramics_Paul-Scott

Attached ceramic shards on plate – Paul Scott

 

 

Cumbrian Blues Collaged Ceramics by Paul Scott

Cumbrian Blues Collaged Ceramics by Paul Scott

 

 

Cumbrian-Blues-Collaged-Ceramics-by-Paul-Scott conjoined ceramic plates

Cumbrian Blues Collaged Ceramics by Paul Scott

 

 

 

-jomon-era-ancient vase

 Jomon era ancient pottery vase

 

 

Phosphatic glaze splashed brown glazed stoneware jar and cover_tang_TANG DYNASTY (618-907) Christies

Phosphatic glaze splashed brown stoneware jar and cover

TANG DYNASTY (618-907) –  Christie’s

 

 

Abstract Sculpture by Lena Arice Lucas - coil built - constructed clay, steel, acrylic

Abstract Sculpture by Lena Arice Lucas – coil built – constructed clay, steel, acrylic

 

 

Acadia-3D-printed-sculpture in turquoise

Acadia 3D printed turquoise sculpture with serpent surface

 

 

 

Adam-Silverman-footed-squat-jar

Adam Silverman footed squat jar

 

 

Adero-Willard-twin-conjoined-vase with botanical decoration

Adero Willard twin Siamese conjoined  abstract vase

 

 

Adero-Willard-contemporary ceramic vase

Adero Willard contemporary ceramic vase

 

 

 

A-Minton-attributed-majolica-two-handled-vase, with arched mermaid handles

A Minton attributed majolica two-handled vase

circa 1859.

 

 

 

Charles Catteau Art Deco vase

Art deco Squirrels vase by charles CATTEAU for BOCH KERAMIS

1923 on Etsy

 

 

Yellow-vase-raku-pottery-Philippe-Buraud-ceramist

Orange and black raku pottery vase – Philippe Buraud

la Porte du soleilFrance

 

 

 

Blackbirds-in-our-Trees-large-jar-Rebecca-A. Grant

‘Blackbirds in our Trees’ large jar –  Rebecca A. Grant

 

 

Bodenvase Scheurich 546-52 fat lava Keramik Vase with red fish

Bodenvase Scheurich 546-52 fat lava Keramik Vase

60’s

 

 

Bowl with sgraffito or brushed decoration over slip, by Edwin and Mary Scheier

Bowl with sgraffito or brushed decoration over slip, by Edwin and Mary Scheier

Skinner

 

 

Burial Pottery Detroit Institute of Ar

Greek warriors in battle – Burial Pottery

Detroit Institute of Art

 

 

temple clay idols

Clay idols for temple offerings

 

Dümler & Breiden, vintage  vase/jug Germany

Dümler & Breiden, vintage  vase

Germany

 

 

 

Village elder in the Philippines in colourful attire

Village elder in the Philippines responsible for upholding cultural traditions

 

filipina-selfie-time - four elderly women taking a selfie

Filipino artisans village selfie

 

 

Emile-Decoeur-art-nouveau-vase with white slip decoration

Emile Decoeur Art Nouveau vase

 

 

František-Drtikol---Nu-au-Vase, ca.1920

Czech Art Deco Nu au Vase,  photo František Drtikol

ca.1920

 

 

Funerary-portrait-of-a-woman-from-Palmyra,-Syria.-200–250-A.D

Funerary portrait of a woman from Palmyra, Syria.

200–250 A.D

 

 

Ceramic-abstract figure tile-artist-unknown

Ceramic abstract tile – artist unknown?

 

 

Leza-Marie-McVey,-Vessel ca 1949

Leza Marie McVey, Vessel ca 1949

 

 

Jim-Gottuso,-Water-Etched-Cup,

Water-Etched porcelain Cup, Jim Gottuso

In Tandem Gallery

 

 

Marcello-Fantoni-(1915-2011)---Lion,-enamelled-ceramics,

Marcello Fantoni – Mid Century modernist lion vase

 

 

Mary-Kenny-black-vases

Mary Kenny

 

 

 

Mirage Lake_Wayne Higby sculptural vessel

‘Mirage Lake’ – Wayne Higby

 

 

Wayne Higby Temple's Gate Pass 1988 glazed earthenware, raku-fired Smithsonian American Art Museum

Wayne Higby ‘Temple’s Gate Pass’ – glazed earthenware, raku-fired

1988, Smithsonian American Art Museum

 

 

Naked Raku tumblers - Jane-Murray-Smith-Dragonfly-Pottery

Naked Raku tumblers – Jane Murray Smith

Dragonfly Pottery

 

 

raku_14_inch_polar bear by Jane-Murray-Smith

Raku polar bear by Jane Murray Smith

Height 14 inches, Dragonfly Pottery

 

 

Aldo-Londi-Bitossi-Pottery-Bird-For-Raymor

Aldo Londi Bitossi pottery bird for Raymor –  Mid Century Modern

Italy.

 

 

Naked-Raku---Slip-Glaze---Kris-Pau lhttpwww.dragonfiregallery

Naked Raku—Slip-Glaze—Kris Paul

dragonfiregallery

I specialize in thrown and hand built fine porcelain that has been burnished to a soft polished surface that is fired in a naked raku firing. The firing process is a dance between the porcelain and the carbon atmosphere and it is not until they emerge from the reduction chamber that I know how the surface will appear. There are distinct subtleties within each individual piece that emerge through the process of manipulating the clay.

 

Pete-Linforth stacked-stone-sculpture

Pete Linforth

 

 

Pierre-Boncompain-ceramic vessel with reclining nude female

Pierre Boncompain ceramic vessel with reclining nude female figure drawing

 

 

Ricky-Maldonado-pottery on a stand

Ricky Maldonado

 

 

Seth-Rainville-ceramic plate with couple

Seth Rainville plate with couple

Rainville’s work delves into two distinct categories… “Rainville-ware” is a functional line of ceramics devoted to the art of entertaining, while his signature “Ink-ware” allows Seth the freedom to explore his desire to be a storyteller.

 

 

Seth-Rainville-ceramic-tea-bowl with flying umbrellas

Seth Rainville

 

 

Tania Mallet-in-scoopnecked-cocktail-dress-in-italian-strawcloth-by-monbijou-photo-by-Vernier-in-Tourettes Sur Loup-south-of-france-vogue-july-1960

Tania Mallet in pottery studio in Tourettes Sur Loup, South of France

Photo – Vernier, Vogue July 1960

 

 

Paris apartment with wall decoration of ceramic pots

Paris apartment (currently on the market) with wall decoration of 100 tiny ceramic pots

Expand with click

 

 

Terracotta reclining figure sculpture - Chacmool--Toltec,-Tzintzuntzan,-Michoacin-1200AD

Terracotta reclining figure sculpture – Chacmool

Toltec, Tzintzuntzan, Michoacin-1200AD

 

Camille-Tharaud-with female pottery painter porcelaine-de-limoges

Camille Tharaud porcelaine de Limoges, France

 

 

Camilla-Ward-contemporary-ceramic vase

Camilla Ward

 

 

hand painted pottery dish by Nan Hamilton

Hand painted owl dish by Nan Hamilton

 

 

Grotell Maija green Vase-1942 - Cranbrook Museum

Grotell Maija green Vase-1942 – Cranbrook Museum

 

 

Half Glaze Stoneware---Hand basin---Andrew Walford

Half Glaze Stoneware

 

 

Winter Gives Way Ken Eastman ceramic sculpture

‘Winter Gives Way’   —  Ken Eastman — slab sculpture

Marsden Woo Gallery

keneastman.co.uk

 

 

Tim Andrews trained for a year as apprentice to David Leach

Tim Andrews

 

 

 

 

créateur-céramiste-2013-2014 Norbert Botella sculpture

 Norbert Botella sculpture

 

 

 

 

Deruta 16th Century, Large dish with running plant-border

 

 

 

GinsLilCharacters - etsy - Rico the Cheetah---Ceramic Wall Decor

‘Rico the Cheetah’—Ceramic Wall Decor

GinsLilCharacters Etsy

 

Historic, Contemporary Ohio Pottery At Zanesville Museum Of Art

Historic, Contemporary Ohio Pottery Vase At Zanesville Museum Of Art

 

 

Linda Styles uk-abstract motif vessel

Linda Styles ceramics,  uk

 

 

Mirta Morigi Contemporary Ceramic green bowl with relief lizard figures

Mirta Morigi Contemporary Ceramic green glaze bowl

 

 

Adam Posnak ceramic cup---The Clay Studio

Adam Posnak ceramic cup—The Clay Studio

 

 

Carol Wedemeyer arabesque pottery jars

Carol Wedemeyer arabesque pottery jars

 

 

Roger Herman vase @Rich Liu TELLES FINE ART

Roger Herman vase @Rich Liu TELLES FINE ART

 

 

Bitossi-Ceramiche-Vase-by-Aldo-Londi,-Limited-Edition,-2016--

Bitossi Ceramiche Vase by Aldo Londi

Limited Edition, 2016

 

 

Sergei Isupov---Mechanical Dummy ceramic teapot

Sergei Isupov—Mechanical Dummy ceramic teapot

 

 

Tapio Wirkkala-white Pollo Vase

Tapio Wirkkala – white Pollo Vase

 

 

 

Jar in stoneware, with about 20.2 cm. tall, produced in the Belgian factory Cérabelga

Stoneware jar produced in the Belgian factory Cérabelga

Height 20cm

 

 

Young-Jae-Lee-celadon ceramic-jar

Young Jae Lee celadon ceramic jar

 

Karin-Gulbran-ceramic cup fish pond decor

Karin Gulbran

 

 

 

 

5 Comments

  1. Emma Klee
    Posted December 8, 2017 at 11:34 am | Permalink

    Thanks for the article – a lovely overview.

  2. Posted December 28, 2017 at 5:48 pm | Permalink

    Enjoy this site , has been a great resource along with inspiration to see what past and present artist have done and are doing with their various mediums

  3. Judith Kuppersmith
    Posted February 26, 2018 at 12:15 am | Permalink

    i love receiving your emails —it has been a long time since one arrived–so I hope I
    am back on your list…
    so much inspiration comes from what you show us and what you say…..
    thank you so very much.
    Betty Woodman —passed and I so admire her work…..

  4. Posted February 26, 2018 at 9:20 am | Permalink

    Love your work, Robbie. Thanks for the long dedication to the cause.

  5. Anonymous
    Posted April 30, 2019 at 11:48 am | Permalink

    Thank you for your dedication to art. Lovely works

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