LOOK ALIKES:
The Decal Plates of Howard Kottler
Arizona State University Art Museum
April 15 through August 27, 2005
Howard Kottler, Look Alikes, from the
series America Gothicware, 1972, edition of 1971 series. Commercial
white porcelain plate with altered commercial decal and metallic (luster)
glaze, 10 _ “ dia. Seattle Art Museum, Gift of the Howard Kottler Testamentary
Trust. Photo credit: Paul Macapia
Opening Reception:
Friday, April 15, 7-9 p.m.
LOOK ALIKES: The Decal Plates of Howard Kottler
Organized by the Tacoma Art Museum, LOOK ALIKES: The Decal Plates of Howard
Kottler, is a nationally traveling exhibition of significant works by
prominent American ceramist Howard Kottler.
This original body of work, which consists of 60 porcelain plates created by Kottler between the 1960s and 1980s, has never been analyzed as a whole until now. The exhibition illustrates the wit and irony of this notable Northwest artist whose works challenged conventional notions of gender, politics, religion and art.
Look Alikes presents a survey of Kottler’s decal plates that impart multiple messages and reflect the rebellious spirit of the time. The combination of Kottler’s nonconformist medium and sardonic messages implies a rejection of tradition and conventional social norms.
About the Artist
Howard Kottler (1930–1989), a former University of Washington professor,
is known for rejecting traditional studio ceramic practices that emphasized
and valued hand-made objects.
Contrary to the studio potters who wedged clay and calculated glazes for plate-making, Kottler created his works with mass-produced, store-bought plates and commercial decals.
The decals he chose included reproductions of well-known images such as Leonardo DaVinci’s The Last Supper and Grant Wood’s American Gothic. Kottler altered these images, often with political intent, by cutting and combining the decals and then affixing them to inexpensive white porcelain plates, which he purchased in bulk.
ASU Art Museum Presentation
Organized by Vicki Halper, independent curator, LOOK ALIKES: The Decal
Plates of Howard Kottler will be installed in the Arizona State University
Art Museum’s Ceramics Research Center location.
Duration
LOOK ALIKES: The Decal Plates of Howard Kottler (April 15 through
August 27, 2005) is open at the ASU Art Museum: Tuesday through Saturday from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Support
Original funding for the exhibition provided by the Howard Kottler Testamentary
Trust. The ASU Art Museum presentation of this exhibition and programs are
supported in part by Friends of the ASU Art Museum.
ASU Art Museum Exhibitions
Selected past exhibitions at the ASU Art Museum include:
WIT AND WINE
DESERT CLASSICS
British Ceramic Masterworks: Highlights
from the Anne and Sam Davis
HUMOR, IRONY AND WIT: Ceramic Funk
from the Sixties and Beyond
Shared Passion: Sara and David Lieberman
Collection of Contemporary Ceramics and Craft
Luo Xiaoping: The Time Square Series
Beyond Boundries: The Yixing Influence
on Contemporary American Ceramics
Embracing Night: New Ceramics by Farraday Newsome
Sredl
More information: John Spiak, spiak@asu.edu.
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