“Pillow Pitcher” (1983)

BETTY WOODMAN

Elizabeth “Betty” Woodman (1930-2018) was an American ceramic artist, known for her vibrant, witty and playful aesthetic of functional pottery. She is best known for her work associated with Pattern and Decoration movement during the 1970s. I was really excited by the above piece entitled: “Pillow Pitcher” (1983), due to its exaggerated form and bright colours. The piece as the title would suggest is a functional pitcher/jug which has been crafted into the form of a full pillow. The artist achieved this irregular and exaggerated shape by making two clay cylinders which joined, before pinching the edges to create a voluminous middle. It is inspired by the shape of Etruscan vessels from Ancient Rome, however its bright glazing and animated, curving edges provide it with a modern twist on the classic shape.

“My Gods” (1994)

“My Gods” is a ceramic vase created by British artist Grayson Perry (b. 1960). Perry works in a wide variety of mediums including textile, photography, painting as well as ceramics- however, it is for his pots with which he achieved the Turner Prize in 2003. The above ceramic piece is a large vase in muted green and brown tones. The artist has drawn several motifs on the surface of the grandly and exaggeratedly shaped vase. Perry’s works are known to have darker, morbid stories playing out on the surface similar to how the Ancient Greeks would depict their own “Gods” and myths on household objects like plates and vessels. This ominous nature can be seen in the cartoonish, sickly child stencilled onto the vase surface who is passed around for example “The God of Divorce”- alluding to childhood trauma. Perry fires his vases several times, applying layers and layers of slip and copper oxide to create depth to the decoration and also add a layer of distress and antique-ness to the piece. I think that Perry’s style is really interesting as he uses an ancient medium for story-telling to bring to light modern tragedies- both personal and universal.

TOSHIKO TAKAEZU

Toshiko Takaezu (1922-2011) was an American ceramicist, known for her sphere-shaped and muted vases. I found Takaezu’s “Moon Pots” (last image, right) really interesting as these non-functioning pots have been created with their tops purposefully sealed off. I found these closed, sphere shaped ceramic pieces very interesting as through their minimalism and soft-toned glazing, Takaezu was able to reflect the calmness the artist held dear in her own life.