ceramics Class - U.H. Manoa, Fall '09 Semester

Talk at Art Academy Theater by Hawaii Artists juror Helen Drutt, husband and Brad Taylor. Ms. Drutt talked about her history and affilitation with many artists and her owning of Helen Drutt Gallery in Philadephia. She is old enough to know many of the famous ceramicists that are on our list of notables.

Ceramics Class - U.H. Manoa, Fall '09 Semester

Up popped another internet site with specialized ceramic products, aimed at a certain niche: people with money.

http://shop.ochrestore.com/products/night-light-holders

This one, sells pieces by Daniel Smith, a U.K. artist, who builds $145 hand-thrown dog dishes, but also produces a wide range of popular, hand-thrown tableware.

Again, spare and simple seems to be what's appealing to the modern buyer.

Ceramics Class - U.H. Manoa, Fall '09 Semester

http://upintheairsomewhere.com/ceramics/index.html

I like the works coming from this site. They are simple-elegant. Susan Dwyer is a young, Chicago based artist, who builds her pieces individually without molds, making each unique.

ceramics Class - U.H. Manoa, Fall '09 Semester

Artist HENRY VARNUM POOR - In '40's sculptors looed for different "sculptural unity", using totally disparate and discordant elements (p. 87), grown from early modern collage, constructivisim and suprematism from Europe and Russia, early '20's. World was heading into the 2nd world conflict that would not tolerate the status quo of supercilious ceramic humor.

Moved from painting to applied arts believing "....natural development of modern art lies in a closer application to things more related to everyday usage." (p. 69). Also felt he could receive greater income than from painting. Made a makeshift pottery studio and crafted limited production, unique pieces to increase prices.

Founded with 14 others, American Designers Gallery, short-lived due to stock market crash.

"One of the most significant ceramists of period between two wars." (p. 70) - American Ceramics 1876 to Present, Clark 1987

"Hernal" 1965 Glazed earthenware with colored epoxy (p. 251)

"Call Girl" 1967, glazed earthenware and sculpmetal

Artist ROBERT ARNESON - At U.C. Davis when art department established with no academic hierarchy in late 60's early 70's. "Broke completely with ceramists' role as a producer of tasteful, overly crafted bric-a-brac for middle class sideboards and mantlepieces." (p.122)

"It's a groove to stick your finger down your throat and see what comes up; this is funk." (p. 119). West Coast Funk roots in Dada and Surrealism. "Funk John" self-proclaimed "first mature work" was an exhibition lasting one day. - American Ceramics, 1876 to Present, Clark 1987

Ceramics Class - U.H. Manoa, Fall '09 Semester

Artist RICHARD SHAW - Late 60's high period. Received MFA from U.C. - Davis. 1970 Nat'l Endowment Arts Fellowship recipient. In '73 received a prospect grant to study 4-color silkscreening of ceramic decals.

His work primarily iconographic and decorative platters. In '81 began figurative work experimentation, leading to more sculptured and less decorative works. - (p. 297-8) American Artists 1876 to Present, Clark 1987.

ceramics Class - U.H. Manoa, Fall '09 Semester

Saxe, Adrian, - vintage mid-60's - long Asso. Prof of Art at U. of California, L.A. Early on to vessel and porcelain qualities, In research, drawn to antelope motif, thereafter used in large lidded vessels in the 70's.

As he worked thru the 80's, "....a tough, witty sense of inquiry began to appear." Some call him "modern-day Fabergé."

The merging of beauty and tension mates works of provocative pieces, "... a sense of poised and inexhaustible complexity." -(p. 297) Peter Schjeldahl, 1987, Kansas Exhibition. "American Ceramics 1876 to Present", Clark 1987.