Another great find at the Museum of Art and Design was Tony Marsh — a ceramicist whose background and life story is as interesting as his work.
Originally from New York, Tony has spent most of his life in California it seems. He went to UC Long Beach in the 70s and then went to Japan where he studied Shimaoko Pottery with the founder of the tradition himself, a living national treasure himself.
I’m increasingly interested in the preservation of traditional crafts, arts, etc. and so the idea behind the living national treasure designation is one I think is so great — it’s been a designation in Japan since 1950.
Tony studied with Tatsuzo Shimaoko for three years and then returned to California and New York to continue to learn and teach.
Always a sucker for stippling, I’m drawn to these works as I can’t imagine how they were made without breaking — Tony’s hand must be very steady. I also like that he doesn’t just make vessels that have the openness and dots to them but he pushes himself to create shapes and patterns in his forms too.
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