Good Earth: The Pots and Passion of Walter Ostrom

Walter Ostrom is an innovative traditionalist who shook up ceramic conventions and enriched them. He was hired to teach at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 1969. His work combines tradition and innovation, beauty and function, and thought and action, and is featured in a major retrospective exhibition at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in 2020.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2021
Publisher: Goose Lane Editions

Walter Ostrom, a renowned ceramic artist, is often hailed as an innovative traditionalist, a disruptive force that shakes up ceramic conventions while simultaneously enriching them. Hired in 1969 to teach studio and Asian art history at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Ostrom was among many American artists who sought refuge in Canada after the Vietnam War.

Ostrom's artistic journey is marked by his embrace of conceptual art in the 1970s, followed by his current exploration of the vast history, hybridization, and social foundation of ceramics. His works, which seamlessly blend tradition and innovation, beauty and function, thought and action, have earned him a prominent position in the development of contemporary ceramics. As Ray Cronin aptly observes, Ostrom's works declare themselves to be art and craft at once, where tradition and innovation are seamlessly merged, beauty and function are harmoniously reconciled, and thought and action are seamlessly combined. This remarkable fusion of elements is what sets Ostrom's work apart, making it a true masterpiece that surpasses expectations in every way.

To celebrate the remarkable legacy of Walter Ostrom, a major retrospective exhibition is set to open at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in May 2020. Good Earth, the accompanying book, features essays by leading scholars and curators, providing insightful perspectives on Ostrom's artistic journey. Additionally, the book showcases over fifty full-color reproductions of Ostrom's works, allowing readers to appreciate the intricate details and vibrant colors that characterize his creations.

Walter Ostrom's impact on the world of ceramics is immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire and influence artists for generations to come. His innovative approach to traditional craftsmanship, combined with his exploration of new artistic territories, has established him as a true visionary in the field. Through his works, Ostrom has demonstrated that art can be both beautiful and functional, and that it can have a profound impact on society and culture.

In conclusion, Walter Ostrom is a ceramic artist whose innovative traditionalism and disruptive force have shaken up the world of ceramics. His works seamlessly blend tradition and innovation, beauty and function, thought and action, and have earned him a prominent position in the development of contemporary ceramics. Through his retrospective exhibition and accompanying book, Ostrom's legacy will continue to be celebrated and explored, inspiring artists and audiences alike to embrace the power of creativity and craftsmanship.

Dimension: 279 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781773101972