The Ceramic Surface
Published on 30. March 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-4081-1339-4 (ISBN)
Description
The last decade of the 20th century has revealed a remarkable diversity of techniques being used to treat the ceramic surface. In this book, Matthias Ostermann primarily looks at the ceramic surface in the context of the vessel and platter that includes the non-functional, the metaphoric, the narrative and even the sculptural. In this he attempts to give a broad overview of contemporary techniques and approaches, covering as many making and firing procedures as possible, and focussing on the works of about 200 ceramicists from around the world. The forward discusses some of the decorative trends in ceramic production preceding the 20th century and gives an analysis of post-war ceramic aesthetic growth in Europe and North America. The book is divided into ten chapters covering specific areas of methodology and encompassing a wide variety of techniques for making, decorating and firing, whilst also covering the full spectrum of clays and firing temperatures. Each artist's image is accompanied by technical information, as well as a statement of inspiration and motivation, to give insight into the concept of each piece.
Reviews / Votes
'a beautifull produced book providing inspiration and information for students and ceramicists alike.' KPA Newsletter 'Over 200 pages of glorious colour to dip into and discover a multitude of different ceramic surfaces.' Craft & Design magazine, July/Aug. 09 'This book is an absolute treasure...suitable for all levels of experience.' www.karenplatt.co.uk (June 2009) '...a beautifully produced book providing inspiration and information for students and ceramicists alike...' KPA Newsletter (2009) '...this beautiful book will provide inspiration to ceramicists, educators and historians alike.' London Potter Newsletter (August/September 2009)More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Illustrations
200
Dimensions
Height: 276 mm
Width: 219 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
878 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4081-1339-4 (9781408113394)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Matthias Ostermann was born in Germany.A ceramicist since 1974, he now lives and works in Montreal, Canada.A well-travelled artist, he has lectured and taught in Toronto, Australia, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, France, Scandinavia,New Zealand, the United States and Brasil, as well as the UK. He has also exhibited internationally, and his work can be found in such permanent collections as the Baden-Wuertenbergisches Landesmuseum in Germany, the Canadian Clay and Glass Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Royal Ontario Museum and Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art in Toronto. He is also an elected member of the International Academy of Ceramics in Geneva, Switzerland.
Since 1981 he has specialised in low-fired tin-glaze techniques for functional domestic wares, sculpture and architectural wall tiles. However, he is currently exploring oriental high-fire glazes. His strong leaning towards painting and narrative work in particular, comes from a love of stories, myths and legends, a legacy from his mother who was a professional raconteuse.
Ostermann has also written other books; The New Maiolica: Contemporary Approaches to Colour and Technique and The
Ceramic Narrative, all published by A&C Black in London and the University of Pennsylvania Press in Philadelphia.
Since 1981 he has specialised in low-fired tin-glaze techniques for functional domestic wares, sculpture and architectural wall tiles. However, he is currently exploring oriental high-fire glazes. His strong leaning towards painting and narrative work in particular, comes from a love of stories, myths and legends, a legacy from his mother who was a professional raconteuse.
Ostermann has also written other books; The New Maiolica: Contemporary Approaches to Colour and Technique and The
Ceramic Narrative, all published by A&C Black in London and the University of Pennsylvania Press in Philadelphia.