Mark Pharis

Mark Pharis is a ceramic artist who currently resides in Roberts, Wisconsin. Pharis is the Chair of the Department of Art at the University of Minnesota, and has worked there since 1985 and held a variety of different positions. He was first introduced to ceramics in the fall of 1967 at the University of Minnesota. Pharis began at the University experimenting with many different art classes, and was encouraged by many family members and friends to study with Warren MacKenzie; a renowned potter and teacher who eloquently combines form and function through ceramics. Through MacKenzie’s mentorship Pharis fell in love with the clay studio, and has continued to produce ceramic works ever since. Pharis is interested in the variation of functional forms, and most of his works serve a utilitarian purpose. He is known for his delicate incorporation of clay slabs which he combines with thrown pieces.

Pharis’ work is highly influenced by the work of his early professor, Warren MacKenzie, whom began this conversation for Pharis between form and function; and ultimately Pharis’ interest in the variation of functional forms. His work is most notable for his use of clay slabs; that creates a combination of sharp angles and curvaceous form, formed by thrown volumes, that ultimately makes Pharis’ work very recognizable and distinct. He often refers to this technique as similar to the traditions of patternmaking, as seen in sewing and sheet metal work. Pharis’ works incorporate various geometric designs and decoration that force the viewer to look at the piece from multiple perspectives and also allows a set to be distinguished as a set through these pattern’s orientations. Pharis’ work has been exhibited in many different galleries including the Lacoste Gallery in Chicago, the Essex Museum in MA, the Yingge Ceramics Museum in Taiwan and multiple others.

Pharis’ work explores the concept of a functional object through this variation in form. This variety of form created through the combination of thrown volumes with clay slabs, creates an interesting collaboration of strong angles and curvilinear form that defines Pharis’ works. Pharis chooses to make utilitarian objects, he states, “I was in love with the whole functional world and I could operate confidently in that world- I like the fact that it is functionally structured- functional pots happen in a structural framework, both defining and liberating at the same time. It is interesting to explore the boundaries of that…I want my pots to have the potential to flip or alternate, to appear to be about use at one time, but to be visually independent and clear enough to be other than functional as well. ”