Peter Voulkos was a West Coast sculptor known for incorporating an array of modernist influences into his ceramics practice. Widely acknowledged as the progenitor of a profound transformation in American ceramics known variously as American Clay Revolution or the California Clay Movement, Voulkos is considered the seminal figure in the development of contemporary ceramic art in America.
As both a working artist and educator, Voulkos was instrumental in unleashing a transformative wave of creativity in clay. As the originating force behind a novel, uniquely American movement in ceramics, Voulkos’ legacy and present-day influence on the medium cannot be overstated.
Voulkos studied painting and printmaking under the GI Bill at Montana State College after serving as an airplane gunner in the US Army in World War II. He soon discovered a passion for sculpture, graduating with an MFA in 1952.
An influential educator with a lengthy career at various institutions, Voulkos established the ceramics department at the Los Angeles County Art Institute (now the Otis College of Art and Design), where he taught from 1954–59, and at the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught from 1959 until his retirement in 1985. He also taught at Black Mountain College and the Archie Bray Foundation.
Voulkos toured universities throughout the United States conducting live ceramic workshops to audiences until his death. Notable students of his include Paul Soldner, John Mason, Ken Price, Billy Al Bengston, Ron Nagle, Stephen de Staebler and James Melchert.
Voulkos was the recipient of many awards throughout his career, including the Gold Medal at the International Exposition of Ceramics (1995, Cannes, France); the Rodin Museum Prize at the First Paris Biennale (1955, Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, France); a Guggenheim Fellowship (1984); a Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement (1997, College Art Association); and honorary doctorates from four American art schools.
Artworks by Voulkos have been exhibited at major institutions around the world, including at the Museum of Modern Art (New York, NY); the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York, NY); the Museum of Art and Design (New York, NY); the Smithsonian Museum of American Art (Washington, D.C.); the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Los Angeles, CA); the San Francisco Museum of Art (San Francisco, CA); the Seattle Art Museum (Seattle, WA); the American Craft Museum (New York, NY) and the National Museum of Modern Art (Tokyo, Japan).
Voulkos has artworks in in the permanent collections of many major international institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, NY); the Museum of Modern Art (New York, NY); the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC); the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Los Angeles, CA); the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, PA); the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA); and many more.
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Peter Voulkos Signed Early Mid-Century Modern Pottery Chawan Tea Bowl, 1950s
By Peter Voulkos
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic rare early footed stoneware Japanese style California studio pottery Chawan tea bowl (circa early 1950s) by Master Greek-American potter/artist Peter Voulkos featuring ha...
Pottery, Stoneware
Wim Fiege Mid-Century Modernist Studio Pottery Bowl, 1950s
Located in Meer, VAN
Wim Fiege Mid Century Modernist Studio Pottery Bowl, The Netherlands, 1950s. This is a wonderful ‘Engobe’ pottery bowl made by Dutch artist Wim Fiege (1914-1978). He used engobe slu...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$693
H 1.97 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Carl Hallier Danish Mid Century Studio Pottery Bowl Royal Copenhagen 1950s
By Royal Copenhagen
Located in Meer, VAN
Carl Hallier Mid Century Studio Pottery Bowl Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, 1950s. Wonderful and beautifully glazed studio pottery bowl by Carl Hallier for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark. A ...
Pottery
Mid-Century Modern Green Murano Glass Bowl, Italy, 1950s
Located in Hellouw, NL
This Murano glass bowl showcases the skill of Venetian glassmaking. Its deep green color draws attention, with the glass capturing and reflecting light naturally. The bowl's rounded ...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Japanese Oribe Style Chawan Bowl, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful painted ceramic oribe style chawan bowl from Japan, 1950s. Circular dish with white and copper green glaze and painted bird motif. Minor glaze crackle consistent with age. ...
Ceramic
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Bowl by Kay Bojesen, 1950s.
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Bowl by Kay Bojesen, 1950s. Exquisite large and early handmade bowl in solid teak designed and manufactured by Kay Bojesen in his own workshop in Cope...
Teak
Mid-century Signed Footed Studio Pottery Bowl with Leaf Designs
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-century Signed Footed Studio Pottery Bowl with Leaf Designs Offered for sale is an original studio footed pottery bowl with irregular veined l...
Clay
Antique Korean Mishma Tea Bowl Chawan Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Korean Hori-Mishima Chawan (tea bowl) circa 16th-17th century (Joseon Dynasty). The tea bowl is of an upright conical form supported by a high foot ring. It was decorated with incised brushwood fence patterns filled with white slip on both the interior and exterior surface. These dominant motifs were spaced by three encircling double lines. Seven chrysanthemum flowers (inka) were stamped on the lower interior surrounding a swirling tea well on the bottom. There are six spur marks known as Meato in Japanese on the interior bottom and a pointy spot in the center of the foot ring known as Tokin. Two crack lines were historically repaired by superb Kintsugi, adding a mysterious wabi-sabi appeal to the piece. The Hori-Mishima bowl was also known as Gohon Mishima. It was made in Bushan Kilns of the Southern Gyeongsang Province specifically for the Japanese market in the 16th-17th century, when the tea ceremonies in Japan demanded such ware. The bowl comes with a purple fabric pouch...
Ceramic
Korean Gohon Chawan Tea Bowl for Japanese Market Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A ceramic chawan (tea bowl) circa 17-18th century fired in the Busan kiln in Korean specifically for the Japanese market. The kilns were run by the So c...
Ceramic
Korean Ceramic Ki-Irabo Tea Bowl Chawan Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A ceramic chawan tea bowl made in Korea for Japanese market circa 17th century. The chawan is identified as Ki- Irabo type (Yellow Irabo). Irabo bowls w...
Ceramic
$580
H 4.25 in Dm 11.63 in
Blue Glazed Pottery Bowl Signed Lauren Vanni, Mid-Century Handmade Ceramic Bowl
By Edouard Cazaux, Accolay Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
Add a distinctive Mid-Century–inspired accent to your dining or display space with this handmade pedestal pottery bowl by Lauren Vanni. Expertly crafted in stoneware ceramic, the bow...
Ceramic, Clay
Harris Strong Mid-Century Modern Terracotta Bowl, USA, 1950s
By Harris Strong
Located in Round Top, TX
Harris G. Strong (1920-2006) Harris G. Strong was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin where his aunt owned a greeting card company, which influenced his artistic pursuits. He also had a str...
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
Vintage 1984 American Studio Pottery Bowl, Signed, Abstract Glaze
By Peter Voulkos, John Glick, Toshiko Takaezu
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A striking 1984 American studio pottery bowl featuring a complex, painterly glaze in layered whites, deep blues, blacks, and smoky greys. The surface reads almost like abstract expre...
Ceramic
Peter Voulkos Stoneware Tea Bowl, United States, 1964
By Peter Voulkos
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Exceptional Peter Voulkos Stoneware Tea Bowl, United States, 1964. Signed & dated to the bottom.
Ceramic, Stoneware
Peter Voulkos Signed Large Heavy Modern Glazed Chawan Tea Bowl
By Peter Voulkos
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, freeform, heavy chawan teabowl by American master potter Peter Voulkos. Very unique and scarce work with rare use of color. One of our personal favorites. Signed ...
Earthenware