An icon of modernist ceramics since the 1960s, Stan Bitters constructed rough assemblages of clay slabs and spoked wheels into massive murals and tall totems, upsizing his medium to an architectural scale.
Like Toshiko Takaezu, Peter Voulkos, Paul Soldner and others, Bitters was part of a small group of American artists during the mid-20th-century who embraced imperfection in their pottery.
Working in ceramics, a material that during the last 100 years was relegated to the supposedly lesser artistic realm of craft, Bitters and these other artists made bold, chunky pieces that served as a counterpoint to the smooth lines and overall slickness of modern and postmodern movements like Bauhaus, constructivism, minimalism, Op art and Pop art.
Hailing from Fresno, California, the self-proclaimed “old hippie” Bitters earned his bachelor’s degree in painting from UCLA. He also studied at what became Otis College in Los Angeles under Voulkos — the bad boy of American ceramics.
Voulkos almost single-handedly spawned what came to be known as the California Clay Movement and flouted pottery’s approved techniques. He transformed clay into a vibrant, highly expressive artistic medium, and Bitters’ funky, fractured style certainly shows it.
Bitters later became associated with organic modernism and created ceramics for Hans Sumpf, a maker of adobe bricks and furniture in Madera.
“Known for his Abstract Expressionist style, Bitters is a steadfast champion of environmental ceramics — the melding of natural, organic clay forms, sculptures and architectural elements into urban spaces to complement, transform and elevate their surroundings,” says Greg Nielson, of Dwell Floor Five, in Studio City, California.
With their sputtery glazes and graffiti-esque glyphs, Bitters’s works exude raw, countercultural energy.
Find Stan Bitters decorative objects, garden ornaments, planters and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Stan Bitters Ceramic Mushroom Stool / Side Table
By Stan Bitters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mushroom stool or side table by Stan Bitters, USA. This piece features a round glazed ceramic top with floral motif and an unglazed stoneware base. Perfect as a petite side table, fo...
Ceramic
Emma Donnersberg, "Organika" Small Resin Mushroom Side Table, France, 2017
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Resin
Emma Donnersberg, "Organika" Large Resin Mushroom Side Table, France, 2017
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Resin
$28,000
H 23.5 in Dm 27 in
Emma Donnersberg, "Organika, " Large Bronze Mushroom Side Table, France, 2017
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Bronze
$11,000
H 20.5 in Dm 16 in
Emma Donnersberg, Organika Eggplant, Glazed Mushroom Side Table, France, 2022
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Ceramic
$25,000
H 16 in Dm 20.5 in
Emma Donnersberg, "Organika" Small Bronze Mushroom Side Table, France, 2017
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Bronze
$1,172 / item
H 17.33 in Dm 18.9 in
White Side Table Mushroom Solid Organic Modern Cast Stone by Alentes Atelier
Located in PALEA FOKEA, ATTIKI
European 21st-century contemporary sculptural table 'MUSHROOM SOLID' in white cast stone - size TALL. The 'Mushroom Solid' table is part of our mono-ma...
Cast Stone
$11,000
H 20.5 in Dm 16 in
Emma Donnersberg, Organika Eggplant, Glazed Mushroom Side Table, France, 2022
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Ceramic
$25,000
H 16 in Dm 20.5 in
Emma Donnersberg, Small Bronze Spiral Topped Mushroom Side Table, France, 2022
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Bronze
$11,000
H 20.5 in Dm 16 in
Emma Donnersberg, Organika Bleu Chisol, Glazed Mushroom Side Table, France, 2022
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Ceramic
Emma Donnersberg, Glazed Ceramic Mushroom Side Table, France, 2022
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Ceramic
$28,000
H 23.5 in Dm 27 in
Emma Donnersberg, Large Bronze Spiral Topped Mushroom Side Table, France, 2022
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Bronze
Emma Donnersberg, Organika Black, Glazed Mushroom Side Table, France, 2022
By Emma Donnersberg
Located in New York, NY
Emma Donnersberg was born and raised in Paris. As a young adult she moved to the United States and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. She...
Ceramic
Stan Bitters Pair of Ceramic Sculpture Stools or Tables
By Stan Bitters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A nice pair of ceramic designs, with glazed star pattern. These can be used as garden stools or tables.
Ceramic