A Katrich Treasury

The Artist's Choice of
Favorite Luster Vessels

"Sovereign Sky", Vessel 1125 (16"):
Ralph and Terry Kovel Collection.

"An Aurora Borealis with conventionalized stars.
The imposition of the imagination on a natural
phenomenon. I've never witnessed an actual aurora,
but perhaps this captures something of the effect."




"Egyptian Stars", Vessel 1117 (10-1/2"):
Lynne and Steven Braver Collection.

"Stars are a symbol common to all times and cultures.
The motif on this piece is based on the ceilings of
ancient Egyptian temples and tombs, which depict
the constellations."




"Atomic Level", Vessel 1099 (11"):
Bruce and Linda McKenzie Collection.

"Science tells us that objects in space obey
the same fundamental laws, regardless of size.
Perhaps this is how atoms and molecules appear,
were it possible to see them. A quantum dance,
invisible except in the imagination."




"How High The Moon", Vessel 1081 (9-1/2" Diameter):
Adam Macagna Collection.

"The decoration of this piece recalls oriental silk
textiles, or perhaps Japanese woodblock prints.

"Plates or chargers are rare forms in my repertoire,
and only a handful exist. The glazes conspired to
make this a pleasant example."




"Rings Of Saturn", Vessel 1060 (5-1/2"):
Collection of the artist.

"Rings within rings within rings, this is a
favorite and unusual vase. It reminds me
of art deco metal work by firms such as
Camille Fauré and Jean Dunand. I'm not certain
of the origin of the idea, but I enjoy its
sense of humor."




"Distant Fires", Vessel 1007 (11-3/4"):
Valerie and Eron Epstein Collection.

"The beautiful images captured by space telescopes
are captivating. I enjoy the idea of colors in
space, not simply the expected blue and white.
Space can be brilliant red, full of galaxies
in the borning."




"Oriental Moonrise", Vessel 0937 (13-1/4"):
Bruce and Linda McKenzie Collection.

"This piece was influenced by the stylized
designs of 19th century Japanese prints, which
I much admire. I recall looking at the artwork
of Arthur Wesley Dow and his beautiful woodblocks.
The applied ocean "waves" contain the impressions
of actual sea shells."




"Lunar Eclipse", Vessel 0911 (11"):
Jack and Karen Ready Collection.

"This vase relates to Dutch apocalyptic engravings
of the 17th century, the same images that influenced
paintings of Vincent Van Gogh and other artists.

"I enjoy creating motion in a static object:
the heavens spinning, the "dance of the hours."
This piece pleased me with its action, and was
surprisingly spontaneous in the making."




"Meteor Shower", Vessel 0900 (10-1/2"):
Nickel-Horvath Collection.

"From the urban area where I live, sightings of
meteorites are uncommon and notable. I was driving
very late one night through the Delaware Water Gap
in Pennsylvania, and observed a full-scale rain of
meteors. The image stuck in my mind, and was
manifested here."




"Stellar Nursery", Vessel 0891 (9-1/2"):
Mark Hearn Collection.

"This vase is heavily influenced by astronomical
photographs, and a love of science-fiction television
and movies. It is no small labor to paint hundreds
of iridescent stars on a pot."




"Cosmic Dust", Luster Vessel 0867 (12"):
Ron and Miriam Forim Collection.

"This vessel shows the debris of an ice comet
or meteor moving through space. The idea that
such flotsam may contain the building blocks of
life is very appealing to me."




"Bright Aurora", Vessel 0829 (9"):
Terry Gerratana Collection.

"I was very pleased with the interaction of glazes
on this vase. It sports an unexpected iridescence,
which to my imagination suggested an aurora or
solar corona. I like the contrast of a very thick
and viscous glaze over a formal classical vessel."




"Music Of The Spheres", 0807 (12-1/2"):
Collection of the artist.

"Like many artists, I enjoy the arcane notion of
the "music of the spheres." The ancients believed
in stars fixed to a crystalline mechanism, which in
motion vibrated with specific sounds.

"This piece has a touch of art deco, which may recall
the work of Jean Dunand and other fine metal workers
of the period.

"I was recently flattered to discover that a physics
professor in California was using the vase to illustrate
his lectures. This vessel was shown at my solo exhibition
in New York City, in 2004."

Vessels "Oriental Moonrise", 0937 (see above)
and 0296 (part of the "Glorious Glazes" Treasury).

"Contemporary Ceramics" exhibition at the
National Academy Museum in New York City
January, 2006.