Richard DeVore, Maker of Mystery Pot 45!

Richard Devore lived from 1933 to 2006. He was born in Toledo, Ohio and earned his Bachelor of Education degree with an art major from the University of Toledo in 1955. He went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he studied under influential ceramic artist Maija Grotell, completing his degree in 1957.

Just nine years after graduating from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Devore became head of the ceramics department there in 1966. In 1978, he relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado where he joined the art faculty of Colorado State University and taught until 2004. In 1987 he was also installed as fellow of the American Craft Council. Devore battled with lung cancer and passed away in 2006 at the age of 73.

During the early 1960’s, Devore explored various techniques in his work, creating figurative sculptures and employing lusters and bright colors in his pieces. But by the later years of the decade, he was focused on creating the sensuously shaped sculptural vessels for which he is best known.

Devore’s signature forms are organic in shape and dry in texture, often reminiscent of the qualities of bone, stone, and skin. These pieces boast very little embellishment, save creases and seams near the rim that recall the wrinkles and folds of human skin. These vessels are neutral in tone, and often display shades of a single color, blended to accentuate the unique shape and surface of each piece. Devore’s work is credited with establishing clay as a medium for abstract art and illustrating the potential of the vessel to express a contemporary, personal design aesthetic. His pieces are highly sought after and can be found in numerous private collections, as well as over 40 museum collections across the world.

June 27, 2022 | View: 544 | Categories: Mystery Pot | Tags: the Bailey Collection, Mystery Pot, ceramic legend, ceramic artist, ceramic sculpture | By: Lyla @ Baileys