Paul Chaleff

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Paul Chaleff
Born1947 (age 76–77)
NationalityAmerican
EducationCity College of New York
Known forLarge-scale ceramic sculptures
StyleAnagama
SpouseHaesook Kim
Patron(s)MOMA, MET

Paul Chaleff (born 1947)[1] is an American ceramist and professor emeritus of Fine Arts at Hofstra University.[2] He is considered a pioneer of the revival of wood-fired ceramics in the US and credited as one of the first to use wood-burning dragon kilns in the style of the anagama tradition. He is best known as an innovator of large-scale ceramic sculpture. His work can be found in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art Department of Architecture and Design,[1] and in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.[3][4]

Paul Chaleff's work was strongly influenced by master potter Takeshi Nakazato. In 1989, Chaleff began collaborating with sculptor Sir Anthony Caro. Together they created nearly 50 works, both figurative and abstract. Caro's sculpture has had a direct influence on Chaleff's work as has the sculpture of Isamu Noguchi, and the ceramics of John Mason and Lucie Rie.[5][6] Chaleff has also been recognized as an innovator of large-scale ceramic sculpture.[7] The strength of his works stems from their being rough, gestural, split, and impure while remaining elegant.[8]

Education[edit]

Chaleff attended the Bronx High School of Science. In 1968, while studying biology at the City College of New York, Chaleff survived a drowning accident that took his friend's life. He graduated in 1969 with a degree in Fine Arts. In 1971, Chaleff received his Master of Fine Arts in Ceramic Design from City College of New York.[2] In 1975 he traveled to Japan to study Japanese pottery and wood-burning kiln design[9] and returned to New York in 1977 where he built a studio and kilns in Pine Plains.

Career[edit]

Chaleff's anagama kiln was one of the first in the US.[10] In 1980, the Museum of Modern Art purchased and exhibited his work from that kiln.[11] In 1980, his wood-fired work was showcased at an official State dinner at the White House. Between 1989 and 2000, Chaleff collaborated on a series of clay sculptures with Sir Anthony Caro in his studio, first in Pine Plains and then Ancram.[12] In 1995, he participated in Fire and Clay, a symposium of international clay sculptors held in Iksan.[13] In 1997, Chaleff accepted a professorship from Hofstra University, where he directed the ceramics program until retirement in 2021.[14]

Museum collections[edit]

Chaleff's work is represented in the following museum collections.[15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Paul Chaleff | MoMA". The Museum of Modern Art. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Faculty Profile | Hofstra University". www.hofstra.edu. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  3. ^ Contemporary Ceramics: Selections from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, November 1998. pages 20,46
  4. ^ New York Magazine, September 15, 1980, pages 28-30.
  5. ^ Williams, Gerry. “The Japanese Pottery Tradition and its Influence on American Ceramics.” American Craft (April/May 1998).
  6. ^ Adlin, Jane. Contemporary Ceramics: Selections from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1998.
  7. ^ Pelehach, Patricia. Ceramic Art and Perception, volume 6/ April 2006.
  8. ^ Lee jae Un> Monthly Art. Volume 312, January 2011, pages 120-123.
  9. ^ Ceramics Monthly, February 1980, pages 54-59
  10. ^ Washington Post, Sunday, November 2, 1980, Living Section. Pottery and Flowers: Stately Centerpieces
  11. ^ New York Magazine, December 5, 1980/ pages 28-30
  12. ^ Ceramics Technical, volume 39/November 2014. Sir Anthony Caro, pages 82-89
  13. ^ Ceramics Monthly, September 1998/ Friendship in Clay, pages 40-42
  14. ^ "Hofstra Faculty". Hofstra University. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Chaleff". The Marks Project. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  16. ^ Jar, 1988. Stoneware Dimensions: H. 14.5 x D. 14 inches. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Martin J. Davidson, 2000, 2000.527.3
  17. ^ Yale University Art Gallery

External links[edit]

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