Feat of clay
A couple's ceramic art gets long-overdue recognition
Missy Kaolin often answers the door of her home studio/gallery in Great Barrington with a half-eaten pear in her hand, prompting visitors to apologize for interrupting her lunch. The petite ceramicist lets out a hearty laugh. ``That's when I know I've got a sale," she says with a mischievous twinkle.
Kaolin's pear, you see, is made of clay. It's one of the ``In Good Taste" series of ceramic food she and her husband, Sandy, are crafting as their newest line of artistic creations. Sandy initially throws most of their works on the wheel, then Missy adds the meticulous details, painstakingly hand-building, shaping, carving, and painting. The remarkably lifelike pears, for example, come complete with Missy's own bite marks -- don't worry, she puts plastic wrap over the clay before digging in. The series includes a cornucopia of other fruit as well, from melon slices dripping seeds to partially peeled bananas, playfully started from the wrong end.
The series was created at the invitation of the high-end online crafts dealer Mostlyglass.com for its contemporary still-life exhibit ``Natura Morte e Vivente," which was featured in June at the prestigious SOFA (Sculptural Objects of Fine Arts) New York . In November, Mostlyglass.com plans to feature some of the couple's carved figurative vessels in the gallery's exhibit for SOFA Chicago.
It is a notable level of recognition for the couple that is long overdue. The Kaolins have been creating their art for nearly 25 years, an exceptional accomplishment for any partnership, especially spouses living and working together 24/7. ``We get along terrifically well and have great respect for each other, personally and artistically," Missy says.
The Kaolins' imaginative designs are not only at the forefront of contemporary clay, they are remarkably diverse, embracing both the functional and the decorative. In fact, when you walk into the gallery room of the couple's modest house, the variety of wares displayed suggests the output of half a dozen artists. Crafted of specially made, porcelain-like whitewear, their core work ranges from charming, multi-hued miniatures to large vessels with elegant, wrapped shoulders or bold gashes. Their most fanciful projects are usually the commissioned heirlooms, playful animal sculptures, pet portraits, and tribute plaques for special occasions bedecked with remarkable levels of personal detail. Their most extravagant works are the huge vases carved with intertwined nudes and animals. They create their own vibrant stains and colorants for a palette ranging from soft naturals to startling reds and shiny metallics. Prices range from $25 to nearly $6,000.
And though they don't advertise, the Kaolins have had pieces in a number of notable private and corporate collections, including ``The Dancing Elephant" commissioned by
Mostlyglass.com co-owner Sami Harawi was attracted to the Kaolins' work by their bright paints and glazes and the sculptural reshaping of each wheelthrown piece. ``It is unique in ceramic work," he attests. ``Our gallery focuses on three things: The object has to be innovative, technically challenging, and aesthetically appealing. They fit those criteria."
Harawi became entranced with one of the Kaolins' pears and suggested they create a full tableau of still-life elements. ``It goes back to the masters in painting," he explains. ``Some of the most beautiful paintings in history are still lifes; a table with all kinds of wine and food and half-eaten bread. Traditionally, people identify with objects of everyday life, with things that we are familiar with and are restful for us and beautiful."
One of most extraordinary pieces in the series is a slice of cantaloupe, the peel of which is painstakingly created with layers of tiny extruded coils. ``It's amazing," Harawi says. ``It should be priceless, but yet it's very affordable and accessible. Their work is still very undervalued when you think of the time it takes and the resultant aesthetic, so for those who want to collect because they love beautiful things, it's a very good buy. The value of their work will start to appreciate." Harawi says the ``In Good Taste" series is selling extremely well.
The Kaolins also sell their work through their own website (kaolinpottery.com) and at a few select craft fairs, such as the Berkshire Crafts Festival. But Missy likes it best when people stop by their studio .
``It gives us a chance to show people some insight into the process," she says. ``People ask if we're potters or sculptors. I like to say we're clay entertainers. I used to promise an anecdote for every visit." One gets the impression she can still deliver.
Kaolin Pottery, 80 Route 71, Great Barrington . 413-528-1531. www.kaolinpottery.com
