Glazed Terracotta Sculpture of a Woman

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Clivia Calder Morrison
Glazed Terracotta Sculpture of a Woman
1930s

About the Item

We find it very difficult to find affordable sculpture, let alone affordable sculpture by a female artist. Noted ceramicist, sculptor and teacher Clivia Calder Morrison is a recent discovery that we are very excited about. Primarily active during the depression as part of the ceramics section of the Michigan WPA, she created a number of locally revered figural sculptures in glazed ceramic. And that is exactly what we have here: a 1930s era beautifully rendered figural work of a young woman. The detail is exquisite -- down to her hair, the folds on her dress and her serene, ever so slightly art deco expression. Because the work is made of terra cotta, it has a certain rustic quality, so there are imperfections around the base. These are not flaws, just how she made it. Signed CLIVIA in the base. Clivia Morrison was born in Michigan in 1909 and studied at the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts with Samuel Cashwan and later at the Art Students League in New York. Known affectionately in art circles as "Clivia" and regarded as one of the most talented ceramic artists in the state, she was placed in charge of the ceramics section of the Michigan WPA. Two of her best known and loved public works were completed in 1938 as part of the depression-era program: the blue glazed terra cotta sculpture, Children Reading, at Michigan State University and the Sea Nymph ceramic fountain at the University of Michigan. In addition, her ceramic sculpture, Night Creature (1947), is in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. A teacher as well as a practicing artist, she held positions at the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts and, we believe, an adjunct professorship at one of the local Michigan universities. She remained very active well into her nineties. Her last major work, which she began at age 91 and which was completed by her friend Hy Steinberg, was a 15-inch high memorial depicting the terror created by the 9-11 attack on the Twin Towers. She passed away in 2020 at the age of 100.

Creator:
Clivia Calder Morrison (1909 - 2020)
Creation Year:
1930s
Dimensions:
Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 10 in (25.4 cm)Depth: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)
Medium:
Terracotta,Glaze
Period:
1930-1939
Condition:
Very good condition with an intentional roughness around the base. One small glaze chip on the back of the skirt professionally repaired by Broken Art Restoration in Chicago.
Gallery Location:
Providence, RI
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU136427288592