Susanne Stephenson
Susanne Stephenson is known for functional forms that carry Abstract Expressioist surface decoration.
Stephenson'sceramics typically begin as a functional vessel form madeof Woodman low-fire terracotta. She shapes the clay using acombination of techniques ...
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Typical Marks
About
- Biography
-
Susanne Stephenson is known for functional forms that carry Abstract Expressioist surface decoration.
Stephenson'sceramics typically begin as a functional vessel form madeof Woodman low-fire terracotta. She shapes the clay using acombination of techniques including throwing, coiling,, and slab building. Once the vessels are leatherhard orbisque fired she uses thick colored slips, engobes andapplied clay crumbsto create an impasto, painterly effect. Inspired by nature, especially water, Stephenson's Abstract Expressionist surface decoration often evokes alandscape. She occasionally uses scraffito carving to finish her works, revealing colors beneath the top surface and increasing the sense of movement inherent in her works.
" - Apprenticeships & Residencies
- Primary Work Experience
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1963-1991
Professor of Art, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan
1960University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Other
- Public Collections
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Ariana Musee, Geneva, Switzerland
Arizona State University Museum of Art, Tempe, Arizona
Benaki Museum, Athens, Greece
Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Choson Royal Kiln Museum, Kwangiu, Korea
Cranbrook Museum of Art, Bloomfield, Michigan
Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, California
Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, Michigan
Downey Museum of Art, Downey, California
Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, New York
Foshan/Nanfeng Museum and San Bao Collection, Fuping, China
Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Toronto, Canada
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
International Ceramic Center, Denmark
Loket Porcelain Museum, Loket, Czech Republic
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Los Angeles, Californ
Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina
Musee National de Céramique de Sevres, France
Museum of Arts and Design, New York, New York
Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague, Czech Republic
- Bibliography
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Brown, Glen. “Exploiting Paradox.” Ceramics: Art & Perception 35 (1999).
Burns, Sean. "A National Clay Invitational.” Spectrum, October 1985.
Fraganza, Trixie. "Studio Potters Reviewed.” NCECA Journal, 1985.
Hluch, Kevin. The Art of Contemporary American Pottery. Ashville, NC: Lark Books, 2001.
Hopper, Robin. The Ceramic Spectrum: A Simplified Approach to Glaze and Color Development. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2001.
Kendall, Gail. “Developing Surfaces with Slip, Scrafitto and Glaze.” Pottery Making Illustrated, Summer 2004.
Ostermann, Mathias. The Ceramic Surface. New York, NY: Holt Reinhardt, 2004.
Stephenson, Susanne G. "Color and Form: Landscape, Uncovering the Painted Gesture." Studio Potter, December 1999.
_____________________. "Perception." Studio Potter, December 1988.
- CV or Resume
- Website(s)
Citation: Susanne Stephenson, "The Marks Project."
Last modified April 29, 2026. https://www.themarksproject.org/artists/susanne-g-stephenson
