Peter Voulkos Lidded Jar, 1949 Stoneware, Bear Canyon clay, brown glaze, incised wax resist decoration 12 x 10 x 10 inches Photo credit Bob Hawks
Pete Voulkos is an internationally acclaimed, innovative American ceramic sculptor. A child of immigrant Greek parents and a World War II Veteran, he studied painting and printmaking at Montana State College under the tutelage of Frances Maude Senska before moving to California. He received an MFA in Ceramics from California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, now California College of the Arts.
Voulkos introduced Japanese wood-firing principles to the United States. He was among to the first to take ceramics away from prescribed shapes and functions into sculptures that are famous for their visual impact, free-form development, and their hostile yet dynamic decoration. His process consisted of various physical acts that would first aggressively construct his sculptures then rip, gouge, and crush the surfaces to create the energy found in his dramatic work.
This curiosity and love for experimentation paired with his magnetic personality led to his dramatic impact on ceramics and bronze work. Voulkos became one of the more influential ceramic artists, affecting the work of artists such as Ken Ferguson. His legacy endures and his work can be seen in many public and private collections and musuems.