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Murray Douglas
"Untitled" Ceramic Vase with Etched Figures, Green Glaze, Signed on Bottom

About the Item

SALE ONE WEEK ONLY Douglas’s etched ceramic vase in a rich earthy green glaze expresses the Mid-Century Modern style of simplicity of lines, forms and color. Despite its formal shape and subdued color, upon closer inspection can be seen exciting activity between nude figures chasing each other - around and around no one caught and no one stopping adding a bit of humor to an already physically satisfying piece. Murray Douglas lived in Detroit, Bloomfield Hills and Royal Oak before retiring and moving to California. He started his career as a ceramicist working as an assistant to Mary Chase Stratton at Pewabic Pottery located in Detroit, Michigan. Professor Douglas began his professional career as an art teacher at Brookside School at Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, where he taught from 1936-1950 except for two years of Army service in Europe during World War II. After the war he taught part-time in Wayne State University’s art education department and was offered a full-time professorship in 1950. He later was named department chairman. Through the years he advised hundreds of graduate students who now teach art throughout Michigan while teaching ceramics and graduate seminars. He retired in 1980. Retired WSU Professor Fred Attebury, who taught art education from 1968 to1994, quoted Douglas as often saying that Wayne State had earned its reputation as a fine teaching institution with great interest in its students. "Douglas continued this fine tradition," Attebury said. Professor Douglas received a bachelor's degree from Wayne in 1936, a master's degree from Ohio State University in 1940 and a doctorate from Ohio State in 1956. He was listed in Who's Who in America, exhibited his ceramics work nationally and received awards from the National Ceramics Show and the Michigan Craftsmen Show. He also received one of Wayne State's first Arts Achievement Awards in 1975. He was active in the national and Michigan Art Education Associations,¬ Michigan Potters' Association and the American Association of University Professors.
  • Creator:
    Murray Douglas (1916 - 1997, American)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Detroit, MI
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU128618361972
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