Passing It On: From Bernard Leach to Jeff Oestreich to the Midwest and Beyond
Passing It On: From Bernard Leach to Jeff Oestreich to the Midwest and Beyond is an exhibition of work by acclaimed potter Jeff Oestreich and the circle of artists who have passed through his studio in Minnesota from the early 1970s to the present.
Oestreich, who was profiled in Craft in America’s 2012 documentary episode CROSSROADS, was trained in the austere simplicity of traditional Asian pottery while serving as an apprentice to Bernard Leach in England in the 1960s. Upon his return to the states in 1971, he began to disseminate Leach’s legacy to numerous American ceramists who have carried the messages forward. This exhibition will reflect the passing on of traditions, attitudes, studio and making practices, and aesthetic values. It will pay homage to Oestreich’s role as an influential voice in contemporary pottery.
Driven to achieve a personal style, Oestreich overlaid his traditionally-trained background with a passion for Art Deco design and a ceaseless exploration of glaze and decoration techniques. His signature beaked pitcher is the refinement of a personal challenge to combine form and function elegantly. Jeff has exhibited widely in museums and galleries worldwide; his work can be found in the outstanding collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Incheon World Ceramic Center, the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others. The artists he has invited to participate in the exhibition have each forged their own careers and attained the highest accolades for their work.
Featured artists from the U.S.: Randy Johnston, Pat Burns, Andy Balmer, Linda Christianson, Scott Goldberg, George Rector, Malcolm Davis, Gail Kendall, Posey Bacopoulos, Marlene Jack, Charlie Maag and Tim Heil.
From abroad: John Dawson, Renton and Rosie Murray, Micki Schloessingk, Sandy Lockwood, Neil Hoffmann, and Greg Crowe.
Randy Johnston, Figurative Vase, 2013. Copper green-glazed stoneware Bernard Leach, Vase, Thrown stoneware Sandy Lockwood, Five Square Cups Oval Platter, 2013. Woodfired, salt-glazed porcelain and stoneware Malcolm Davis, Serving Dish, Vase, Tea Bowl # 1, Tea Bowl # 2. Porcelain, Malcolm’s Shino glaze Linda Christianson, Teapot / Cooking Oil Can 2013. Thrown, wood-fired stoneware, salt added to kiln Linda Christianson, Baking Dish, 2013. Thrown, wood-fired stoneware, salt added to kiln; 4 sushi plates, 2013. Wire cut slab, hand built, wood-fired stoneware, salt added to kiln Charlie Maag, Eight-sided Plates Jeff Oestreich, Pitchers and Plates Jeff Oestreich, Bowls, Long Dish, Tea Bowls Jeff Oestreich, Plates, Bowls, Mugs Jeff Oestreich, Teapots and Bowls, 2013 Jeff Oestreich , Covered Jar, 2013 Posey Bacopoulos, Rectangular Dish Gold Oval Box Oval Teapot Gold Squared Pitcher, 2013. Thrown, altered, assembled, gold decals Pat Burns, Pair of Bowls, 2013. Soda/salt-fired porcelain Pat Burns, Pair of Porcelain Bowls, Faceted Vase, Porcelain Butter Dish, Pair of Mugs, 2013. Soda/salt-fired porcelain Tim Heil, Bowl, Traditional Rolling Pin, French Rolling Pin, Potters tools for trimming, Glazing brushes Tim Heil, Bowl with Glazing Brush and Potters Tool Greg Crowe, Bowls, wood fired, stoneware, salt glazed Andy Balmer, Pair of Tea Bowls, 2013. Soda/salt-fired stoneware Andy Balmer, Teapot, 2013. Soda/salt-fired stoneware Andy Balmer & George Rector Andy Balmer, Platter, 2013. Soda/salt-fired stoneware (hanging on wall). George Rector, Covered Jars, Pitcher and Bowl, 2013. Stoneware, wood-fired, salt & soda glazed George Rector, Bowl, 2013. Stoneware, wood-fired, salt & soda glazed Marlene Jack, Trio of Nesting vases, Oil pot with Tray, Pair of Serving Trays, 2013. Porcelain Marlene Jack, Small Serving Bowl with Spoon, 2013. Porcelain Neil Hoffman, Pair of Bowls, 2013. Clay, hand formed, wood fired Scott Goldberg, Ewer, Jar, Bowl With Celadon Handles, Pitcher. Stoneware, wheel thrown Micki Schloessingk, Teabowls. Wood fired, salt glaze John Dawson, Agateware Bowl and Agateware Cylinder form, 2013. Polished porcelain with color inlay Gail Kendall, Half-Gold Dish, 2012. Slipped terracotta with 22 karat burnished gold luster; Leaves, 2013, Slipped terracotta; Dots, 2013, Slipped terracotta; Teapot, 2014. Slipped terracotta Renton & Rosie Murray, Renton Murray, Faceted Teapot Beaten Jar; Rosie Murray, Condiment Set
Photos by Madison Metro