The Ceramic Surface

Publishers: A&C Black, London (2002),
University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, USA (2002)

The last decade of the 20th century has evidenced a remarkable diversity of techniques applied to the treatment of the ceramic surface. Since this opens up so vast a field of study, the mandate of this particular book is primarily to examine the ceramic surface in a vessel- and platter-oriented context, with some loose exceptions, that include the non-functional, the metaphoric, the narrative and even the sculptural, but to avoid ceramics in the figurative-sculptural, architectural and installation categories.
Matthias Ostermann has attempted to give a broad overview of contemporary techniques and approaches to the ceramic surface, covering as many making and firing procedures as possible, and focusing on the works of about 200 ceramists from around the world.

The Ceramic Surface begins with a joint foreword by two writers in the fields of art history and the applied arts. Catherine Hess of the United States discusses some of the decorative trends of ceramic production preceding the 20th century, and David Whiting of the United Kingdom gives a cogent analysis of post-war ceramic aesthetic growth in Europe and North America.

The book is divided into ten chapters covering specific areas of methodology and encompassing a wide variety of techniques for making, decorating and firing, and covering the full spectrum of clays and firing temperatures. Each artist's image is accompanied by a procedural outline, as well as a statement of inspiration and motivation, to give insight into the concept of each piece.

At the end of this book there is a glossary of terms and techniques, followed by a recommended reading list, providing food for technical, aesthetic and philosophic thought. It is hoped that this book will not only provide inspiration and information to ceramic makers, educators and historians, but will also celebrate the ingenuity and diversity of talents of all the artists presented here.