Nature's endless combinations of form,
pattern, and texture are my inspiration.
~ Ken Standhardt, Ceramist
For more than two decades, ceramist Ken Standhardt, who takes his inspiration from nature, has been creating hand-thrown functional or decorative stoneware vessels that look like woven baskets. Other than his potter's wheel, the artist's primary design tools are a ballpoint pen and two churchkeys. In Oregon Art Beat's video profile below, first broadcast in 2009, Standhardt shows us his process and shares his work. He notes that he does not draw in advance or preconceive his designs and may spend seven hours or more incising an individual, one-of-a-kind piece; a piece may have from 500 to 5,000 indentations. (He offers additional details in the About section of his Website.)
The unassuming Standhart, born in 1961 on a working Pennsylvania Dutch farm, the son of casket makers, now lives in Eugene, Oregon. He welcomes visitors to his studio and gallery by appointment. He also exhibits at fine craft shows and museums. His work is in a number of public and corporate collections, including those of the University of Oregon's Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, in Eugene, and the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C.
A gallery of images of Standhardt's very fine work is here. (Prices for pieces shown online range from approximately $50 to $800.) Note the attention he pays to the bases of his vessels.
Standhardt was featured in the January/February 2008 issue of Clay Times.
Profiles at Clayfolk and Two Moons Gallery
Ken Standhardt on FaceBook
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2 comments:
This is truly fascinating. He creates such beauty.
I have known Ken for many many years and have watched him continue to create absolutely amazing works of art.Happily our house has many of his works.He is always with us.Nothing but best wishes for his continuing contributions to the world of ART.
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