Untitled
2005
Artist
- Paul Soldner, American, 1921-2011
- Born: Summerfield, IL
- Work Locations: Claremont, CA, Aspen, CO
Country
United States
Object
sculpture
Medium
Stoneware
Accession Number
2008.1
Credit Line
Funds from the Florence R. and Ralph L. Burgess Trust
© Estate of Paul Soldner
Dimensions
height: 23 in, 58.4200 cm; width: 31 1/2 in, 80.0100 cm; depth: 15 in, 38.1000 cm; height: 22 in, 55.8800 cm; depth: 14 in, 35.5600 cm; width: 33 in, 83.8200 cm
Inscription
On bottom: "05-4"
Department
Modern and Contemporary Art
Collection
Modern and Contemporary Art
One of the most influential potters in the twentieth century, Paul Soldner introduced a firing technique based in the Japanese raku tradition, now called “American raku.” Japanese raku was ceremonial; raku ware was glazed and fired at either high or low temperatures to produce different finishes. Soldner’s raku might involve two further steps after a low firing: immersing the fired ware into an open flame, and/or plunging it into cold water. Americans were also unconstrained by traditional shapes, and many of Soldner’s vessels are better described as sculpture. Though the raku potter might have a particular finish in mind, the results were unpredictable. “Make no demands, expect nothing,” Soldner wrote. “Follow no absolute plan, be secure in change, and prefer to gamble on intuition.” (citation?)
Exhibition History
- "Earth and Fire"--Denver Art Museum, 6/11/2011 - 8/5/2011
- "Showing Off: Recent Modern and Contemporary Acquisitions"--Denver Art Museum, 5/17/2015 - 1/3/2016
