Remembering Warren 1924 – 2018 1
Remembering Warren Š 2019 Northern Clay Center. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, write to Northern Clay Center, 2424 Franklin Avenue East, Minneapolis, MN 55406. http://www.northernclaycenter.org Design by Amanda Dobbratz Creative direction by Sarah Millfelt Photographs of ceramic works Š Northern Clay Center, all others as noted. 2
Remembering Warren
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The legend
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Warren MacKenzie is widely regarded as one of the most important potters of our time. Not only is he the best in his field, but he has conducted himself with honesty and integrity. His adherence to those high standards has brought him admirers from around the world ... Wherever I go, people say, “You’re from Minnesota; you must know Warren MacKenzie.”
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—The late Joan Mondale, excerpt from the McKnight Foundation’s 1999 Distinguished Artist Award catalogue
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Warren was in a league of his own; his legacy taught me to discover a sense of dignity and enduring hidden beauty in the everyday actions I have with clay. Though these actions may seem small, they draw on, build, and continue the rich ceramic tradition that Warren was so keen on supporting. Thank you for everything, Warren.
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—Kevin Kao, ceramic artist and first-year recipient of NCC’s Warren MacKenzie Advancement Award
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The mentor
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As MacKenzie’s student in the Mingei-sota group, I felt strongly, and still do, that pots should be of use while still embodying a strong sense of aestheticism. Warren’s pots have never pandered to novelty. They have never been outspoken, as he often is, and they are certainly not stylish. They are, however, comfortable and necessary additions to the homes and kitchens of us all. They are spiritual, often transcendental ... Warren is fun, laughs easily, loves gestures, and is totally obsessed with making pots—constantly. His message to us way back then was that if you want to make pots, ‘Just go do it.’ It sounded so direct, so simple. It wasn’t.
—Randy Johnston, former student, professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, excerpt from the McKnight Foundation’s 1999 Distinguished Artist Award catalogue
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I began taking clay classes at the University of Minnesota in the fall of 1967. It was an auspicious beginning. I was completely taken with the material, studio, instruction, and students. I can’t recall having ever been so absorbed with anything before. At the end of that academic year I received a poster in the mail announcing an exhibit in St. Paul. The participating artists were Jan Attridge and Tim Crane. As a beginner, I knew neither the artists nor their work. At the bottom of the poster was a handwritten invitation from Warren. ‘Mark, Come + See some good simple pots. Warren MacKenzie.’ His thoughtful gesture endures. Surprisingly, I had yet to meet Warren in person or take a class from him, yet he knew that it was important that I see this exhibit. I was deeply moved by his generosity and impressed with his awareness—and I still am.
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—Mark Pharis, former student, former professor at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Chair of the Art Department from 1998 - 2004
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The teacher
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Before receiving Warren MacKenzie, an American Potter from my mom in 1991, I had no idea a potter could go to college, or have a book, or make an impact beyond his or her community. Without Warren, I may have never gone on to art school, or learned that pots could be political. Without even knowing it, he paid me one of the greatest compliments of my career when I likely needed it most. And, all I can imagine is that every single potter in my generation and beyond, has some kind of similar story about him. Thanks Warren; your impact is immeasurable and your legacy will outlive us all.
—Forrest Lesch-Middelton, ceramic artist, Petaluma, CA
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Warren was never officially my teacher, but it is impossible to be around the man and not be influenced by his aesthetic, his philosophy, and his whole calm, inspiring aura. When I brought my high school ceramics students to visit Warren, he was generous with his time and his stories, treating us to demonstrations and explanations just as enthusiastically as I would imagine he had done so for his actual students at the U. It was clear he not only loved making pots, he also loved passing on the knowledge of making pots.
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—Tricia Schmidt, artist and K12 educator
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The man
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MacKenzie’s pots, like Warren himself, function by attraction, not advertisement. Warren’s handmade pottery, functional and beautiful, is in the collection of art museums all over the world, including mine. It is also used every day at the MacKenzie house and at houses all over the world, including mine.
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—Lyndel King, Director, Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota, excerpt from the McKnight Foundation’s 1999 Distinguished Artist Award catalogue
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In any culture, the needs of the people control the direction of their self-expression. In earlier times, people were directed by their need to find food and to survive. Later they developed belief systems, turning to religion or magic, concerned with gods and goddesses, myths, political power. Artistic expression became a way to support those beliefs, to oppose enemies, to strengthen the culture. I do not believe it is any different in our times.
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—Warren MacKenzie, NCC’s Regis Master lecture, 1997
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Image details Page Details Cover Warren giving a demo in his studio. Photo courtesy of Tricia Schmidt. 4 The studio; where the magic happened. Photo courtesy of Tricia Schmidt. 7 In 2013, Warren MacKenzie was invited to give a Master class at the Leach Pottery and Museum. It was an important historical moment for him to travel back to St. Ives, UK, years after he had completed his apprenticeship with Bernard Leach. One afternoon while at the Leach Pottery, the photographer asked him if he would share a story of how Leach had once critiqued his interns. Warren picked up a mug and went to the fireplace to tell the story. Photo courtesy of Bouky Labhard. 8 L to R: A favorite shino box; Warren MacKenzie in his studio standing behind his famous teapots, 2011. Photo courtesy of Bouky Labhard. 9 Platter. 11 Clockwise from top: Pots in progress, 2011. Photo courtesy of Austen Browne; The rules. Photo courtesy of Bouky Labhard; Warren in the studio. Photo courtesy of Tricia Schmidt. 12 L to R: Wayne Branum, Linda Christianson, Warren, and Guillermo Cuellar. Photo courtesy of Continental Clay Company. 14 Clockwise from top: Northern Clay Center’s opening reception for The Mondale Collection, 2015, Warren, Walter Mondale, and Willem Gebben; Wayne Branum and Warren MacKenzie; Randy Johnston, Warren, and Jeff Oestreich photographed during a woodfiring at the McKeachie Johnston Studios in River Falls, WI, November 2017. Photos courtesy of Austen Browne. 17 Some ‘good simple pots.’ 18 Wares of just a few of the artists who he influenced and mentored. Clockwise from top left: Randy Johnston, Willem Gebben, Mark Pharis, and Linda Christianson. 19 A shot from the studio featuring exhibition posters by some of Warren’s own mentors. Photo courtesy of Tricia Schmidt.
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20 Warren’s influence crossed state lines and generations; beloved by so many through his last days. Pictured here: Jan McKeachie Johnston, Warren, Linda Christianson, Jeff Oestreich, Randy Johnston, Mark Pharis, Rhonda Willers, Kinji Akagawa, and myriad students from the University of Wisconsin — River Falls. Photo taken during the filming of the NCECA 2019 promotional video at the McKeachie Johnston Studios in River Falls, WI, November 2017. Photo courtesy of Austen Browne. 21 L to R: Kevin Caufield, Warren, and Bob Briscoe at NCC’s annual Chili Cook-off, 2015. 22 Warren doing what he loved: teaching. Photo courtesy of Tricia Schmidt. 24 Sketching out what was likely recreated in the studio later that same day. Photo courtesy of Austen Browne. 27 A studio visit for Woodbury High School ceramics students. Photo courtesy of Tricia Schmidt. 28 Warren in the studio, post American Pottery Festival photoshoot, 2014. 31 Top: Lunch break with friends helping Warren build his latest kiln. Pictured in foreground is Marshall Browne of Smith-Sharpe Fire Brick Supply. Bottom: The table setting that same day. Photos courtesy of Austen Browne. 32 Warren telling one of his famous stories. Photo courtesy of Austen Browne. 33 L to R: Notable shino vase form. Warren stealing a quiet moment with NCC’s old cat, Milo. 35 If you want to make pots ‘just go do it’ was Warren’s advice to his students for so many years. Warren, pictured here, making his way down the hill to his studio to heed his own advice. Photo courtesy of Austen Browne.
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Resources Click emboldened text to be redirected to resource. NCECA Remembers Warren Mackenzie, co-authored by Sarah Millfelt, Executive Director, NCC and Rhonda Willers, artist and Steward of the Board, NCECA Warren MacKenzie: 1999 Distinguished Artist Award catalogue, courtesy of the McKnight Foundation Warren MacKenzie American Potter, by David Lewis (book, available in NCC's library and sales gallery) Warren MacKenzie demonstrating at NCC’s MEA Art Educators’ Weekend, 2016, recorded by Austen Browne (video) MN Original (video) Warren MacKenzie: A Potter’s Hands (video), directed by Mark Lambert Warren MacKenzie Advancement Award Recipients Blog (text) Craft in America, Crossroads episode (video)
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