Where can I find photos of work by the potter named Thomas Kerrigan?
I plan to start my research on the pottery works by the artist named Thomas Kerrigan. But somehow it's not easy to find any photographs of his work which would be of great help in building database for my research. I scanned almost every search engines but most of results were filled with exhibition information only. Where can I find any photo (hopefully with detailed info on each work) of his works?
Galleria Elegante – Specializing in Online Retail of Mexican Talavera, Mata Ortiz Pottery
Quality artisan craftsmanship in Mexican pottery can be elusive. High-yield factory-made objects are appreciable, but cannot compare to the artistic pieces that are produced in smaller quantities by trained and talented artists. The fine quality of some functional and decorative pots, vases, urns and platters reflect the skills and gifts of the artist who made them, most often using techniques that respect the traditional methods used in production. Two exceptional examples of pottery that pay tribute to traditional practices are Mexican talavera pottery and Mata Ortiz Pottery.
Collectors of true Mexican talavera pottery will attest to the value of its craftsmanship. Thought to have originated in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, Mexican talavera pottery is made through a process similar to that of Majolica in the Mediterranean. A generally accepted theory of how the craft was transported to the New World suggests that Spanish monks from Puebla, Mexico requested that pottery makers from Talavera de la Reina, Spain be sent to Mexico to introduce the craft to the people of the region. The skills and techniques to manufacture Mexican talavera pottery eventually became standardized, so that all pieces produced could be trusted as fine, uniform quality functional and decorative art. Today, the craft continues to be practiced using these same high standards by official guilds, or âfabricasâ, in Mexico. Mexican talavera pottery is made by combining and soaking two types of clay, then draining and filtering it of its impurities. Using a potterâs wheel or molds, artists create their pieces, dry them for eight weeks, and fire them at high-temperatures. Pieces are then dipped in glaze and hand decorated which, when fired a final time, produces creations of very rich color. Each fabrica, fourteen of which exist today in Mexico, mark each of their pieces with their names and registry numbers to certify their origin.
The origins of Mata Ortiz pottery makes a curious story. A man named Juan Quezada from the town of Mata Ortiz, Mexico, studied the pottery shards he discovered at Casas Grandes, the site of an ancient city. Through trial and error, he taught himself the technique of pottery-making that enabled him to mimic the pottery of the ancient culture. As his skills became further refined and his work more exquisite, demand increased and a new form of artwork appeared on the global market.
Today, some retailers are able to offer authentic certified Mexican talavera and Mata Ortiz pottery to art lovers. Galleria Elegante is an online retailer who specializes in sourcing, selling and carefully shipping pottery in North America. They proudly offer work from Uriarte Talavera, a fabrica founded in 1824, known as one of the best fabricas in the country. Collectors of Mexican fine art are able to decorate their homes with platters, urns, plates, canisters, jars, vases, tiles, salad bowls and serving dishes that would otherwise only be found locally in Mexico or in museums further North.
For more information, visit www. GalleriaElegante. com
Galleria Elegante is a leading dealer of traditional and modern pottery. For more information, visit www. GalleriaElegante. com
Polish Pottery
The picturesque country of Poland is located at the intersection point between the eastern and western sections of the European continent. It was in 2004 that Poland became a member of the European Union. If one studies the culture of the country, it will be seen that as a result of its strategic location and unique history, Poland has been considerably influenced by the cultural nuances of both eastern and western Europe considerably which is reflected in its lifestyle and folklore and also the indigenous artworks. In the different fields of cultural activities, Poland has proved itself time and again in the world arena be it architecture, fine art or literature and even celluloid. Pottery is one of the best known and popular of the various artworks and it is a tradition that has survived the passage of time and today is world famous for its intricate designing forms and quality. It is interesting to note that the origin of stoneware or pottery in Poland has a long and enriched history associated with its growth. It was during the closing years of the 18 th century and the beginning of the 19th century that the earliest specimens of polish pottery may be dated to. In the province of Bunzlau, which was them a part of the German region of Silesia, presently a part of the polish territory, the earliest samples of polish pottery were found and were referred to as Bunzlauer stoneware.
One of the most popular designs of traditional polish pottery known as the ‘eyespot' design characterized and influenced by peacock feathers originated in this region and was extensively developed by the artists of the time. However, during the period of the Second World War, all these extraordinary works of art were destroyed. But, after the war had subsided, Poland once again continued its tradition of constructing pottery and artwork and factories were also set up for this purpose. Currently, Poland is one of the foremost pottery producers of Europe and the tradition has been kept alive especially in a small village within the polish country known as Boleslawiec. In this region, skilled artisans, inspired by times and trends of ancient and medieval central European folk art, continue to derive pleasure out of forming unique pottery designs. It is interesting to note while the designs remain mostly inspired by traditional art forms, there is no restriction in terms of shape. Polish pottery is available in exquisite designs in multifarious shapes. Polish pottery is displayed in all the major antique shops and museums in Europe .
For more information on Polish Pottery please visit our site.