Sunday, July 26, 2020

Ceramics Masterclass: Creative Techniques of 100 Great Artists

Ceramics Masterclass is a style guide for ceramic artists written and curated by Louisa Taylor. Due out 11th Aug 2020 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it's 288 pages and will be available in flexibound softcover format.

The book is well laid out and beautifully illustrated. The introduction includes a number of informative subchapters on clay composition, testing materials, experimentation and discovery, techniques, and firing. Each of the following chapters contains a thematically cohesive collection of artist highlights (beautifully photographed): vessel, decorative, function, figurative, conceptual, and installation. There are so many of the entries which are completely mesmerizing. Literally pushing the envelope of what is even *possible* with the medium. The pieces are accompanied by artist's statements and background info which I found fascinating.

This is a lavishly illustrated reference for potters which will make a valuable addition to the well stocked studio library. It would be a superlative selection for a makers space or collective as well. The author has included numerous recipes and formulations for glazes, clay information, references, glossary, and an exhaustive cross referenced index. This would also make a wonderful text for formal classroom use.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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