Ceramics Research Center
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History
The
ASU Art Museum has been actively collecting and exhibiting ceramics since
1968, acquiring works by ceramists such as Rudy Autio, Peter Voulkos and Maria
Martinez under the directorship of Rudy Turk. In 1977, the museum used a matching
grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to acquire major works of contemporary
American ceramics.
Over the years, generous collectors and supporters have contributed to the
collection. Astrid Thomas single-handedly assembled the 300 pieces of 19th
century American crockery; the museum received the Phillip Leavitt Collection
of work by Otto and Gertrude Natzler in 1989; and Mrs. Emmanual Gerard gave
her diverse and whimsical teapots in 1992. Joanne and James Rapp, nationally
recognized supporters of contemporary craft, have given numerous works over
the years. Sara and David Lieberman have contributed in many ways, including
the recent purchase of a major work by Toshiko Takeazu, an important 20th
century woman ceramist.
Stephane Janssen’s gifts have moved the collection further in representing
path-breaking ceramists who work in sculptural modes. Through his generosity
the museum has added to the collection an installation by New Mexico artist
Eddie Dominguez, an Adrian Saxe jar, a Viola Frey group of figures and plate,
an early Funk piece and a monumental bronze sculpture by Robert Arneson.
In 1998, the museum was the recipient of the Anne and Sam Davis collection
of 315 modern and contemporary ceramic works by 120 British and American ceramists.
Reflecting many of the important artists, movements and accomplishments in
ceramics in the second half of the 20th century, the Davis Collection further
enhances the museum’s existing holdings.
Contemporary ceramics is one of six stated areas of collection emphasis at
the ASU Art Museum. The museum strives to acquire, through gift and purchase,
artworks that are provocative and compelling, of aesthetic interest and/or
of educational value. We now own one of the strongest collections of 20th
century and contemporary American and British ceramics in the United States,
and anticipate additional growth of the collection and of the Ceramics Research
Center.
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