Ron Layport
Earl the Grey

Ron Layport (American, b. 1942)
Earl the Grey 2016
Black walnut, pigment
10 x 12.75 x 4″
Kamm Collection 2016.85.8
Photos: Mark May, courtesy of the artist.

From 2011 to 2016, the Kamms collected four marvelous animal sculptures by Ron Layport. These were created for the annual teapot exhibitions held by the Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery (Pittsburgh). This wolf sculpture has a removable lid; its muzzle is the teapot spout. This wooden piece was turned, reconfigured and sculpted. The fur is created with a pattern of textured relief carving.

In 2016, Layport said of this particular work: “I make one teapot each year—for this one show. And each year my first consideration is the American Grey Wolf. But somehow he always eludes me. It’s been a matter of engineering—how to make those ears function as a handle—until now. Earl The Grey has finally come to tea.”

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