Lot 1294
Tommy Simpson and Kristin Muller, Published Peter’s Valley (NJ) Blue Glaze Pottery Vase
Lot Details & Additional Photographs
15 1/2 x 10 x 10 in.
The Collection of Karen & Robert Milnes, Asheville, North Carolina
Tommy Simpson is an imaginist who has worked in nearly every medium, including woodworking, painting, printmaking, ceramics, bookmaking, jewelry, and writing. Whether it’s a painting or sculptural object, in each of Simpson’s works there is an identifiable style that puzzles together the artist’s personal and cultural references into a signature blend of joyfulness and subtle commentary.
On describing Simpson’s sensibility, Karen S. Chambers comments, “It’s whimsical and wry, naive yet savvy, intelligent but not cerebral.” Edward S. Cooke, Jr. (Yale University) wrote, “Simpson is simply a maker who deftly blends utility, memory, irony, and spirituality in his accomplishments.
Fundamental to his life has been a conviction that ‘art can be meaningful and still give joy.’ He makes fanciful, whimsical objects that incorporate verbal and visual puns and probe the meanings of cultural icons, but undertakes such commentary within comfortable settings. His works possess an engaging tension that employs friendly humor or familiar details and conventions to inspire long-lasting thoughtfulness.
Kristin Muller is the Executive Director of Peters Valley School of Craft in Layton, NJ, a passionate ceramic artist and writer and adjunct instructor for the graduate ceramics program at Hood College. Kristin grew up in both South and North America attending schools in Argentina, Chile and the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Studio Arts from Southern Connecticut State University, a Graduate Certificate and Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics from Hood College. Before taking on the role of Director of Peters Valley she was the Education Director, Gallery Curator and Ceramics Instructor at Brookfield Craft Center, an adjunct instructor at both Southern Connecticut State University and Albertus Magnus College. Her studio and home are located in Dingmans Ferry, PA where she fires an Anagama hybrid kiln with wood that was built by Takao Okazaki.
The piece in this Lot is published on pages 132-133 in her book "The Potter’s Studio Handbook: A Start to Finish Guide to Hand-built and Wheel-Thrown Ceramics” published by Quarry books in 2007.
Sources:
Peters Valley School of Craft Gallery
The Furniture Society
Good estate condition.
