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, Madison Metro photograph
Randy Johnston, Figurative Vase, 2013. Copper green-glazed stoneware
Bernard Leach, Vase, Thrown stoneware, Madison Metro photograph
Bernard Leach, Vase, Thrown stoneware
Sandy Lockwood, Five Square Cups Oval Platter, 2013. Woodfired, salt-glazed porcelain and stoneware, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
Charlie Maag, Eight-sided Plates
Jeff Oestreich, Pitchers and Plates, Madison Metro photograph
Jeff Oestreich, Pitchers and Plates
Jeff Oestreich, Bowls, Long Dish, Tea Bowls, Madison Metro photograph
Jeff Oestreich, Bowls, Long Dish, Tea Bowls
Jeff Oestreich, Plates, Bowls, Mugs, Madison Metro photograph
Jeff Oestreich, Plates, Bowls, Mugs
Jeff Oestreich, Teapots and Bowls, 2013. Madison Metro photograph
Jeff Oestreich, Teapots and Bowls, 2013
Jeff Oestreich , Covered Jar, 2013. Madison Metro photograph
Jeff Oestreich , Covered Jar, 2013
Posey Bacopoulos, Rectangular Dish Gold Oval Box Oval Teapot Gold Squared Pitcher, 2013. Thrown, altered, assembled, gold decals, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
Tim Heil, Bowl, Traditional Rolling Pin, French Rolling Pin, Potters tools for trimming, Glazing brushes
Tim Heil, Bowl with Glazing Brush and Potters Tool, Madison Metro photograph
Tim Heil, Bowl with Glazing Brush and Potters Tool
Greg Crowe, Bowls, wood fired, stoneware, salt glazed, Madison Metro photograph
Greg Crowe, Bowls, wood fired, stoneware, salt glazed
Andy Balmer, Pair of Tea Bowls, 2013. Soda/salt-fired stoneware, Madison Metro photograph
Andy Balmer, Pair of Tea Bowls, 2013. Soda/salt-fired stoneware
Andy Balmer, Teapot, 2013. Soda/salt-fired stoneware, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
Marlene Jack, Small Serving Bowl with Spoon, 2013. Porcelain
Neil Hoffman, Pair of Bowls, 2013. Clay, hand formed, wood fired, Madison Metro photograph
Neil Hoffman, Pair of Bowls, 2013. Clay, hand formed, wood fired
Scott Goldberg, Ewer, Jar, Bowl With Celadon Handles, Pitcher. Stoneware, wheel thrown, Madison Metro photograph
Scott Goldberg, Ewer, Jar, Bowl With Celadon Handles, Pitcher. Stoneware, wheel thrown
Micki Schloessingk, Teabowls. Wood fired, salt glaze, Madison Metro photograph
Micki Schloessingk, Teabowls. Wood fired, salt glaze
John Dawson, Agateware Bowl and Agateware Cylinder form, 2013. Polished porcelain with color inlay, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
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, Madison Metro photograph
Renton & Rosie Murray, Renton Murray, Faceted Teapot Beaten Jar; Rosie Murray, Condiment Set
passing it on

Photos by Madison Metro