Chris Powell Pottery Featured in Solo Exhibit at the Clay Place Gallery
March 13, 2004

Art Review:
Survey of shows sees new works and old in assorted media

Saturday, March 13, 2004
By Mary Thomas
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



A visitor to Christopher Powell's exhibition "Continuing the Ohio Art Pottery Tradition" at The Clay Place, Shadyside, might think he'd wandered into an antiques show. But the works displayed only recently underwent their fiery transformation.




Powell, who lives near Columbus, holds a bachelor's degree in ceramics from Edinboro University, where he was first exposed to and attracted by Arts and Crafts period pottery. The purity of form, harmonious glaze palette and emphasis on craftsmanship favored by that movement is reflected in his work. Surpassing mere reproduction, his is a later-generation expression that continues to evolve as he develops new glazes and tweaks form.




The nearly 90 objects displayed, most of them vases with some plates, show fine-tuned control in throwing, glazing and firing. Forms are classic, moderated with incising, and carving and brought to life by ocean blue, moss green and earth brown glazes that give the surfaces a tactile, buttery warmth.




The exhibition continues through March 31 at 5416 Walnut St. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday; closed March 16-20. Information: 412-682-3737.

www.post-gazette.com/pg/04073/285038.stm