Elaine Katzer on Jack and Susan Peterson's Kick Wheel (1962)

Elaine Katzer

This image of Elaine Katzer, straddling a kick wheel, captures the fascination that potters of the '50s, '60s, and '70s had with “throwing.” Intent on finding individual expression in an age of mass production, many fell in love with the magical qualities of clay that made it possible to transform a lump of wet dirt into a rock-hard object.

Photograph 8 x 10 in
Elaine Katzer, Collection of the Artist; Photo: George Armstrong 1962 Elaine Katzer and George Armstrong

Execution of The Races of Hawaii Mural (ca. 1960)

Francis Chun

Execution of The Races of Hawaii ceramic tile mural for the Coco Palms Hotel's Flame Room in Kauai, Hawaii. Left to right: Francis Chun, Millard Sheets, and Mildred Downing.

Photograph 3 1/4 x 3 1/16 in
Francis Chun, Collection of the Artist © 1960 Francis Chun

Scripps College Art Exhibition (1960s)

Peter Voulkos

Painting and ceramics pieces exhibited at Scripps College.  The back of the photograph lists the names of the artists that made each ceramic piece: "l to r—Bob Dittmer; Antonio Prieto; Bob Dittmer; Frans Wildenhain; Walter Mix; Helen Watson and Peter Voulkos. Painting by Alfredo Ramos Martinez."

Photograph 3 1/4 x 3 3/8 in
The Scripps College Photo Archive, Ella Strong Denison Library Ella Strong Denison Library, Scripps College

Takemoto Scripps College Exhibition (1960s)

Henry Takemoto

Henry Takemoto with his work at Scripps College, ca. 1960s.

Photograph 8 x 10 in
Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College

William Manker Unloading Kiln (1947)

William Manker

Portrait of ceramics artist William Manker looking at a bowl; the photograph is signed "Baskerville 47" in pencil, lower right.

Photograph 13 1/2 x 10 1/2 in
Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College; Photograph by Charles Baskerville Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College

Paul Soldner Thesis Exhibition at Los Angeles County Art Institute (1956)

Paul Soldner

"Paul Soldner's master's thesis in art was an investigation of extended throwing. He was successful in pioneering a more effective method of adding height to a wheel-thrown object by the continual addition of thrown clay 'doughnuts' to the rim of the piece. Whereas the more common technique was the attachment of thrown forms, Soldner's procedure allowed the ceramist both greater control and overall unification of the total column. (It also required that he throw while standing on a ladder)." Excerpt from Elaine Levin, The History of American Ceramics: From Pipkins and Bean Pots to Contemporary Forms, 1607 to the Present (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1988).

Photograph 8 x 10 in. each
Paul Soldner, Elaine Levin Collection; Photograph by Paul Soldner © 1956 Solder Enterprises

Cups (1957)

Billy Al Bengston

These are hand modeled, high fire ceramic cups.

Hand modeled, white body clay, stoneware 3 1/8 x 5 1/4 x 2 7/8 in.; 3 1/16 x 4 7/8 x 2 7/8 in
Billy Al Bengston, Marian Crawford Moule Collection; Photograph by Gene Sasse © 1957 Billy Al Bengston; 2010 AMOCA

Tall Vase (1968)

Raul Coronel

This is a wheel thrown, high fire ceramic vase.

Hand thrown, white body clay, stoneware 22 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 in
Raul Coronel, Michael and Mindy Hickman Collection; Photo: Gene Sasse © 1968 Raul Coronel; 2010 AMOCA

Raul Coronel Loading Kiln (1965)

Raul Coronel

West Los Angeles artist, Raul A. Coronel, loading a kiln in his studio.

Photograph 8 x 10 in
Raul A. Coronel, Collection of the Artist; Photograph by Max Eckert © 1980 Raul A. Coronel

Pouring Bowl (1960)

Rupert Deese

This is a small press molded, red body clay bowl with pouring spout.

Press molded, red body clay, stoneware 6 x 4 1/2 x 2 in
Rupert Deese, Petterson Museum of Intercultural Art Collection; Photograph by Gene Sasse © 1960 Rupert Deese; 2010 AMOCA

Bowl (1945)

Martha Longenecker

A large wheel thrown, high fire bowl.

Hand thrown, white body clay, stoneware 5 1/4 x 17 x 17 in
Collection of the Artist; Photograph by Gene Sasse © 1945 Martha W. Longenecker; 2010 AMOCA

Lidded Pot (1951-52)

Harrison McIntosh

A lidded pot that has been wheel thrown of red body clay, matt glaze with brushed decoration, and carved lines or sgraffito stripes.

Hand thrown, red body clay, stoneware 14 x 12 x 12 in
Harrison McIntosh, Karl and Beverly Benjamin Collection; Photograph by Gene Sasse © 1951–1952 Harrison McIntosh; 2010 AMOCA

Teapot (1954)

Richard Petterson

A wheel thrown, high fire striated teapot made of white body clay, with tall looped handle and brushed diagonal decoration stripes.

Hand thrown, white body clay, stoneware 9 1/4 x 9 1/ 4 x 4 1/2 in
Richard Petterson, Petterson Museum of Intercultural Art; Photograph by Gene Sasse © 1954 Richard Petterson, Petterson Museum of Intercultural Art; 2010 AMOCA

Mother and Child (1945)

Susi Singer

Cast, red body clay, low fire production piece of a mother and child.

Cast, red body clay, earthenware 12 1/2 x 4 3/4 5 in
Susi Singer, Carolyn S. and Thomas Owen-Towle Collection; Photograph by Gene Sasse © 1945 Susi Singer; 2010 AMOCA

Teapot (1953)

Peter Voulkos

Wheel thrown, high fire, white body clay teapot with wax resist brushwork decoration.

Hand thrown, white body clay, stoneware 11 5/8 x 8 1/4 x 3 1/2 in
Peter Voulkos; Photograph by Gene Sasse © 1953 Peter Voulkos; 2010 AMOCA

Bottle (ca. 1955)

Beatrice Wood

Small wheel thrown, low fire white body clay bottle with gold luster glaze.

Hand thrown, white body clay, earthenware 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 in
Beatrice Wood, Carolyn S. and Thomas Owen-Towle Collection; Photograph by Gene Sasse © 1955 Beatrice Wood, Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts and Happy Valley Foundation; 2010 AMOCA