George E. Ohr (1857-1918) was an American Ceramist who was also know by his self made name, “ Mad Potter of Biloxi”. He is considered an iconic figure of the American Abstract Expressionist movement. During his lifetime he produced over 10,000 pots, but was forced to rebuild his life after his pottery studio burnt down in Mississippi in 1893. Much of his inspiration came from the fire where he then produced some of the most innovative pieces of his career. His use of organic shapes, lines, brilliantly colored glazes and wheel techniques are fantastic and can be seen in the Orh-O'Keefe Museum of Art dedicated to his work.
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George Ohr manipulated finely potted vessels by twisting, bending, folding, and crimping. He experimented with both structural form and glazes, and his idiosyncratic works, each one a kind of nonrepresentational sculpture, presaged abstraction by several decades. One example is of this slumped footed vase with a pocked blue glaze. Its off balance vertical shape gives it an unexpected gestural quality. The curvy designs of each pot establishes a modern, exotic form. His work was unpopular during his life because it was incredibly advanced for his time.
Ohrs eccentric persona and imaginative aesthetics were condemned throughout his life, but he remained diligent in continuing the creative process. It wasn’t until well after his death in the 1960’s where his work became rediscovered and praised for its modern qualities. His work displayed in the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art experienced the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina where portions of the building were destroyed. This event draws a parallel to the disaster Ohr’s studio had experienced in the fire of 1893. The ceramics that George Ohr had created post-catastrophe were his most masterful and spirited, therefore the theme of triumph resonates throughout displays of his work. His pottery is currently extremely valuable because he was considered a pioneer of modern ceramics; a small pot can sell in the six-figure range. There are many knock off George Ohr pieces that are made to try and fool buyers, but the few who fanatically collect know the signature traits of the originals.
wow, what a mustache!
ReplyDeleteI really like the abstractness and the dynamic forms of his works. It's quite amazing that his handles have a doodle-like quality in them. The use of the glaze (especially the blue and white vase) has such movement to them.
George's work really inspires me, I love his innovative use of the wheel and the movement of from that is created through this technique. His forms also all seem functional which interests me as well. Each glaze adds to the dynamic quality of each piece, as they seem reflective of the function of each, especially in the blue water vessel and the brown glaze on the first piece which make it appear sturdy and durable.
ReplyDeleteThis guy has got that crazy as hell and I don't care look and his art reflects it. I think there's some spirits in his head telling him to pinch here, twist there, or screw it, just crush it up like a can. Brilliant! I really like his symmetrical double handles on his fantasy pot. I think it is looking at me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes people look like their pets, George Ohr looks looks like his pots. I love the sense of movement that his transformed pots give.
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