A native Iowan, Clary Illian received her BFA degree in 1963 from The University of Iowa. In 1964 and 1965, apprenticeship at Bernard
book is a wonderful depiction of that life and the works she has produced. It is exceptional reading for anyone who is interested in the contemporary craft scene.”
Leach Pottery in Cornwall,
Warren MacKenzie
England. Since her return in 1966, she has crafted a full-time career as a utilitarian potter. After many
C l a r y
she received a prestigious
“Clary Illian has pursued a life devoted to functional pottery since her college days and this
a potter’s potter Clary Illian has been producing
years of making stoneware and porcelain pots,
ceramics since the early 1960s,
I l l i a n:
Illian is currently investigating earthenware, which has prompted a more light-hearted approach with regard to image and pattern. Working from her studio in Ely, Iowa, Illian continues to make pots in addition to teaching semesters and workshops in art schools and craft teaching institutions across the United States and
after graduating from The University of Iowa’s distinguished ceramics department and a two-year residency with worldrenowned British ceramicist Bernard Leach. Regarded as the
Canada. Her 1999 text, A Potter’s Workbook, published
father of British studio ceramics,
a
by The University of Iowa Press, remains an important
Leach advocated for simple and
resource for potters everywhere.
utilitarian forms, something
p o t t e r ’ s
Gail Kendall is a potter and emerita Professor of Art at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where she is credited with building a nationally-recognized program in ceramics in her 24 years there. Joy Sperling is Professor of Art History at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. She has written numerous books and articles on art and visual culture of the 18th century to the present day.
p o t t e r
ci
Back Cover: Bowl Stoneware 5 x 12 1/4" McCombs Collection
Printed in the U.S.A.
Illian has continued throughout her career. Clary Illian: A Potter’s Potter surveys many of the best works from her 50-year career, including pots in stoneware, porcelain, and earthenware, the three major media in which Illian has worked. It is
a
p o t t e r ’ s
a revelatory look at one of
p o t t e r
America’s premier potters.
ci
Cover left: Teapot Stoneware 8 1/2 x 8" McCombs Collection Cover right: Teapot, ca. 2000 Stoneware 8 1/4 x 7" Jani Collection
A native Iowan, Clary Illian received her BFA degree in 1963 from The University of Iowa. In 1964 and 1965, she received a prestigious apprenticeship at Bernard Leach Pottery in Cornwall, England. Since her return in 1966, she has crafted a full-time career as a utilitarian potter. After many years of making stoneware and porcelain pots, Illian is currently investigating earthenware, which has prompted a more light-hearted approach with regard to image and pattern. Working from her studio in Ely, Iowa, Illian continues to make pots in addition to teaching semesters and workshops in art schools and craft teaching institutions across the United States and Canada. Her 1999 text, A Potter’s Workbook, published by The University of Iowa Press, remains an important resource for potters everywhere. Gail Kendall is a potter and emerita Professor of Art at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where she is credited with building a nationally-recognized program in ceramics in her 24 years there. Joy Sperling is Professor of Art History at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. She has written numerous books and articles on art and visual culture of the 18th century to the present day.
ci
Back Cover: Bowl Stoneware 5 x 12 1/4" McCombs Collection
a
p o t t e r ’ s
p o t t e r
a potter’s potter Creative Direction
Duane Wood, WDG Communications, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Design/Art Direction Jodi Hormann, WDG Communications, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Sean Ulmer, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Photography
Terence Pitts, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Typography
Tanya Schulte, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa Bauhaus, Frutiger
This exhibition and companion publication have been made possible by the generous support of the Windgate Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Copyright © 2012 Cedar Rapids Museum of Art First published in the United States of America by Cedar Rapids Museum of Art 410 Third Avenue SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 319.366.7503 www.crma.org Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Clary Illian: A Potter’s Potter. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-9826138-3-2 (alk. paper)
HG8540.E47A14 2011 368.00973–dc23 2011045249 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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Title page: Pitcher, ca. 1997 Porcelain 13 1/8 x 6 3/4" Jensen Collection
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Coffee Pot, 1984 Stoneware 8 1/4 x 5" Wellborn Collection
| 1
Preface Sean M. Ulmer, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
I first became aware of Clary’s work quite by accident. The
collections and their willingness to lend, there would simply be no
museum’s director, Terry Pitts, told me about the quite unassuming
exhibition or book.
potter living in nearby Ely, Iowa, and that I should really check her
out. I was hardly prepared for what I encountered. Modest and
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, in particular Teri Van Dorston,
unassuming she was, but those pots! As a specialist in modern
Museum Registrar, and Judy Frauenholtz, Preparator, whose
and contemporary art and having recently worked on an exhibition
combined talents not only result in excellent installations
of contemporary turned wood art, I was immediately intrigued
but also make the entire process a pleasant one. In addition,
with Clary’s work and wanted to see more. Eventually, as is
Communications Coordinator Kristan Hellige’s countless readings
often the case with Clary, a friendship developed and, with the
of the author’s essays were invaluable.
encouragement and support of her many collectors, an exhibition
materialized. I am truly grateful for Clary’s willingness to allow me
goes to Gail Kendall and Joy Sperling for their insightful essays
to organize this exhibition and I am most thankful to her for her
on different aspects of Clary’s work. Thanks, too, goes to Sanjay
invaluable help in every step of the process. I am most appreciative
and Jigna Jani of AKAR Gallery who generously offered the
of the time she spent with me, sorting through the many
services of their photographer, Tanya Schulte, for the superb
candidates for the exhibition, discussing the merits of each,
photography in this book. Duane Wood and Jodi Hormann at WDG
which resulted in the amazing assembling of pots in this exhibition
Communications, Inc., are to be congratulated for their sensitive
and accompanying book. I know she would have rather been
design of the book, utterly in keeping with Clary’s aesthetic. I
making pots.
especially want to thank the Windgate Charitable Foundation for
funding this book, the first such retrospective volume on Clary’s
An exhibition as large and complex as this takes the dedicated
Thanks, too, goes to our small but dedicated staff at the
This book is the product of many people’s hands. My gratitude
work of many people, all of whom have worked diligently to
contribution to the world of ceramics.
make both the exhibition and book a huge success. My thanks to
all of the lenders, who so generously parted with their treasured
to functional pots carries on the tradition of Bernard Leach but
pieces in order to share them with a wider audience. A list of these
with her own, individual imprint. She has touched more lives than
collectors can be found at the back of this book. Without their
Most of all, thank you to Clary Illian, whose lifetime dedication
she knows with her work over the course of the past 50 years. She is an amazing artist and an incredible human being.
2 | C l a r y I l l i a n: A Po tte r’ s Po tte r
ci
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Bowl, 1995 Soda-fired stoneware 5 x 11 1/4" Wellborn Collection
Tea Bowl, ca. 1996 Porcelain 4 x 3 3/4" Brannin-Simpson Collection
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Vase, ca. 2003 Soda-fired stoneware 11 x 10 1/2" Brannin-Simpson Collection
Luncheon Plate, ca. 1993 Stoneware 3 x 9 1/4" Artist’s Collection
| 3
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Pitcher, late 1960s Stoneware 14 1/2 x 7 1/2" Artist’s Collection
2 2 | C l a r y I l l i an: A Potte r’ s Po tte r
ci
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Pitcher, 1966 Stoneware 5 3/4 x 4 1/2" Artist’s Collection
Rice Bowl, 1966 Stoneware 4 x 6 1/2" Artist’s Collection
| 23
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Vase Stoneware 11 x 10 1/4" Thelen-Dean Collection
3 4 | C l a r y I l l i an: A Potte r’ s Po tte r
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Bowl Stoneware 4 1/2 x 13 1/2" Thelen-Dean Collection
| 35
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ci Left: Vase Earthenware 10 1/2 x 8" McCombs Collection
Right: Pitcher Earthenware 9 1/2 x 5" Wellborn Collection
Bowl, ca. 2010 Earthenware 2 1/2 x 13 x 10 3/4" Brannin-Simpson Collection
4 0 | C l a r y I l l i an: A Potte r’ s Po tte r
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Soup Bowls Earthenware 2 7/8 x 7 1/4" each McCombs Collection
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Bowl, ca. 2010 Earthenware 3 x 11" Brannin-Simpson Collection
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Bowl Earthenware 4 x 13 1/4" Jani Collection
| 41
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Pedestal Bowl, ca. 2003 Soda-fired stoneware 4 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 8" Westbrook-Carlton Collection
5 0 | C l a r y I l l i an: A Potte r’ s Po tte r
| 51
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6 4 | C l a r y I l l i an: A Potte r’ s Po tte r
Vase Soda-fired stoneware 13 x 10" McCombs Collection
Jug Soda-fired stoneware 13 x 9 1/2" Thelen-Dean Collection
ci
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Upper left: Detail of sodafired pot, p. 62 Delsandro Collection
Upper right: Detail of sodafired pot, p. 64 McCombs Collection
Lower left: Detail of sodafired pot, p. 3 Brannin-Simpson Collection
Lower right: Detail of sodafired pot, p. 64 Thelen-Dean Collection
| 65
7 6 | C l a r y I l l i an: A Potte r’ s Po tte r
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Bowl Porcelain 3 7/8 x 11 1/4" McCombs Collection
| 77
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7 8 | C l a r y I l l i an: A Potte r’ s Po tte r
Jar, ca. 2004 Porcelain 11 1/2 x 9 1/2" Brannin-Simpson Collection
ci ci
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Teapot Porcelain 8 x 8" Artist’s Collection
Bowl Porcelain 4 x 12" Johnson Collection
Small Bowl and Covered Pot, ca. 1980 Porcelain bowl 3 1/2 x 4 3/4" pot 5 1/4 x 4 1/2" Artist’s Collection
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Vase, ca. 2005 Porcelain 7 3/4 x 8 1/2" McCombs Collection | 79
Collections Artist’s Collection: Collection of Clary Illian
Chronology: Clary Illian
1940
Born, Sioux City, Iowa
1963
B.F.A., The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Biderman Collection: Collection of Gary and Rose Biderman Brannin-Simpson Collection: Collection of Michael Brannin and Craig Simpson Bugg-Willcox Collection: Collection of Emily Bugg and Brandon Willcox Delsandro Collection: Collection of Christopher R. Delsandro and Elizabeth M. Delsandro Goldstein Collection: Collection of Kathe and Gary Goldstein
1964-65
Apprenticeship, Bernard Leach Pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall, England
1966-68
1968-72
1972-85
Hands of Friends Pottery, Garrison, Iowa
1985-2009
Odd Fellows Hall Pottery, Ely, Iowa
Keystone Pottery, rural Benton County, Iowa
McCombs Collection: Collection of Michael McCombs Jani Collection: Collection of Sanjay and Jigna Jani
Brick and Tile Factory Pottery, Garrison, Iowa
Jensen Collection: Collection of Ben Jensen Johnson Collection: Collection of Lisa and Hans Johnson Wellborn Collection: Collection of Jackie Wellborn Myers Collection: Collection of Mike and Marsha Myers Phillips Collection: Collection of Susan Phillips Thelen-Dean Collection: Collection of Todd Thelen and Eric Dean
1999
A Potter’s Workbook published by University of Iowa Press
2009
Main Street Pottery, Ely, Iowa
Van Allen Collection: Collection of David Van Allen Westbrook-Carlton Collection: Collection of Mary Westbrook and the late Dean Carlton Whitney-Dorothy Collection: Collection of Cheryl Whitney and Phil Dorothy
9 4 | C l a r y I l l i an: A Potte r’ s Po tte r
a potter’s potter Clary Illian has been producing ceramics since the early 1960s, after graduating from The University of Iowa’s distinguished ceramics department and a two-year residency with worldrenowned British ceramicist Bernard Leach. Regarded as the father of British studio ceramics, Leach advocated for simple and utilitarian forms, something Illian has continued throughout her career. Clary Illian: A Potter’s Potter surveys many of the best works from her 50-year career, including pots in stoneware, porcelain, and earthenware, the three major media in which Illian has worked. It is a revelatory look at one of America’s premier potters.
ci
Cover left: Teapot Stoneware 8 1/2 x 8" McCombs Collection Cover right: Teapot, ca. 2000 Stoneware 8 1/4 x 7" Jani Collection
A native Iowan, Clary Illian received her BFA degree in 1963 from The University of Iowa. In 1964 and 1965, apprenticeship at Bernard
book is a wonderful depiction of that life and the works she has produced. It is exceptional reading for anyone who is interested in the contemporary craft scene.”
Leach Pottery in Cornwall,
Warren MacKenzie
England. Since her return in 1966, she has crafted a full-time career as a utilitarian potter. After many
C l a r y
she received a prestigious
“Clary Illian has pursued a life devoted to functional pottery since her college days and this
a potter’s potter Clary Illian has been producing
years of making stoneware and porcelain pots,
ceramics since the early 1960s,
I l l i a n:
Illian is currently investigating earthenware, which has prompted a more light-hearted approach with regard to image and pattern. Working from her studio in Ely, Iowa, Illian continues to make pots in addition to teaching semesters and workshops in art schools and craft teaching institutions across the United States and
after graduating from The University of Iowa’s distinguished ceramics department and a two-year residency with worldrenowned British ceramicist Bernard Leach. Regarded as the
Canada. Her 1999 text, A Potter’s Workbook, published
father of British studio ceramics,
a
by The University of Iowa Press, remains an important
Leach advocated for simple and
resource for potters everywhere.
utilitarian forms, something
p o t t e r ’ s
Gail Kendall is a potter and emerita Professor of Art at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where she is credited with building a nationally-recognized program in ceramics in her 24 years there. Joy Sperling is Professor of Art History at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. She has written numerous books and articles on art and visual culture of the 18th century to the present day.
p o t t e r
ci
Back Cover: Bowl Stoneware 5 x 12 1/4" McCombs Collection
Printed in the U.S.A.
Illian has continued throughout her career. Clary Illian: A Potter’s Potter surveys many of the best works from her 50-year career, including pots in stoneware, porcelain, and earthenware, the three major media in which Illian has worked. It is
a
p o t t e r ’ s
a revelatory look at one of
p o t t e r
America’s premier potters.
ci
Cover left: Teapot Stoneware 8 1/2 x 8" McCombs Collection Cover right: Teapot, ca. 2000 Stoneware 8 1/4 x 7" Jani Collection