"Oh Eleanor" 2012. Fruit peel, 30.75 x 28.25 x 13 in. Photo: David H. Ramsey. Fiber artist Jan Hopkins (American, b. 1955) has garnered a great deal of attention for her intricate baskets, teapots, and torso sculptures that utilize organic alternative materials. Using items such as fruit peels, seed pods, and fish skins, she creates [...]
Wendell Castle, "Aeolus" 2010. Bleached mahogany, 38.5 x 43 x 26.5 in. Kamm Collection 2010.68. Photo: Jon Lam, courtesy Barry Friedman Ltd. “Art is omnifarious. It appropriates all forms and assimilates all materials. The results should be a paradox…”[i] -Wendell Castle, 2016 Wendell Castle (American, 1932-2018) has been described as a pioneer, a master craftsman, [...]
"Teapot and Warmer (Journeyman's Piece)" 1944. Sterling silver, rosewood, 9.5 x 8.5 x 5 in. Kamm Collection 2011.59. Photo: Walter Colley. Silversmith Hans Christensen (Danish, 1924-1983) left an indelible impact on the field of metalwork in the United States. In the latter portion of the twentieth century his influence was felt not only in the [...]
Jan Schwab Huling (American, b. 1953), "Pothead" 2012. Glass seed beads, resin core, found objects, 19.25 x 13.25 x 7.5 in. Kamm Collection 2012.57.17. Photo: David H. Ramsey. "Pothead" alternative view. The butterfly on deer's hip is three-dimensional. “With each new row of beads, I more clearly see the personality of the piece emerging and [...]
"Dragon Teapot" 1980. Luster glazed earthenware, 7.75 x 12.5 x 5.75 in. Kamm Collection 1988.1. Photo: Tony Cunha. “Beatrice Wood combines her colors like a painter, makes them vibrate like a musician. They have strength even while iridescent and transparent. They have the rhythm and luster both of jewels and human eyes. Water poured from [...]
John Prip (American, 1922-2009), "Experimental Teapot" ca. 1979. Sterling silver, 6.13 x 10.25 x 4.38 in. Kamm Collection 2017.19. Photo: David H. Ramsey. “…John Prip has set the standards of excellence in American metalsmithing…As an artist, he has stretched the horizons of the field. As a teacher, he has shared the results of his experiments [...]
Erik Magnussen (Danish, 1884-1961) / Gorham Manufacturing Co. (Providence RI, 1831-). “Cubic Coffee Service” 1927. Sterling silver with patinated and gilt decoration, ivory, 9.5 x 21.5 x 13.38 in. Collection of RISD Museum, Providence RI. 1991.126.488. Photo: RISD Museum. When we discovered Cubism, we did not have the aim to discover Cubism. We only wanted [...]
Jason Walker, "Time Fisher" 2005. Porcelain, 10 x 20.25 x 6.5 in. Kamm Collection 2005.60.4. Photo: Kevin O'Dwyer. This blog post concentrates on another prevalent theme within the Kamm Teapot Collection, art influenced by industry. These objects contain recognizable industrial references such as smokestacks as well as man-made mechanisms and hardware like engines, screws, and [...]
Sergei Isupov, "The Cat Walks Alone For Herself" 1997. Porcelain, ceramic stain, glaze, 14 x 15 x 8.5 in. Kamm Collection 1997.113. Photo: Tony Cunha. The cat's elongated neck and looping tail simulate a teapot spout and handle, and the hand is a removable lid. For this blog post we will focus on two ceramicists, [...]
Chris Antemann, "Battle of the Britches: The Tea Party" 2010. Porcelain, decals, luster, 14.5 x 32.5 x 14.25 in. Kamm Collection 2010.36. Photo: Kendrick Moholt. The Kamm Teapot Collection contains numerous contemporary works in clay that look to historical ceramic traditions for inspiration. These designs might contain reflections of ancient Chinese pottery or perhaps eighteenth [...]
