The Frank Lloyd Gallery is pleased to announce a group exhibition of ceramic artists who explore the teapot form in their work. Presenting a variety of approaches to this classic vessel, the exhibition includes work by Ralph Bacerra, Philip Cornelius, Robert Hudson, Gustavo Pérez, Adrian Saxe, Peter Shire and Anna Silver.

These seven master ceramists take the concept of the teapot to its limits, exploring its decorative and historical traditions and pushing its formal and physical boundaries. While Shire abstracts his teapots into playful constructivist sculptures, Saxe creates extravagant vessels laden with references to popular culture, ceramic history, and word play. Silver takes the oversized teapot as her canvas, covering its surface with her expressive, painterly imagery, and Bacerra covers his with dazzling, richly decorative patterns; Pérez takes the teapot as a starting point for an exploration of refined sculptural form, while Hudson builds complex structures that grow out of assemblage and Funk sensibilities.

These artists approach ceramic sculpture with a wide variety of professional and artistic experience. Los Angeles ceramist Anna Silver was originally trained in painting before discovering clay at the Otis Art Institute. Known for her vividly decorated oversized vessels, teapots and urns, she has exhibited professionally since the 1980s. Peter Shire, born and raised in Los Angeles, is known for his work with the Italian design group Memphis, as well as for his public sculpture, which can be seen throughout Los Angeles. Adrian Saxe, the creator of ornate vessels, rococo ewers and exquisitely glazed jars, has been exhibiting professionally since the 1970s and is regarded as one of the most significant ceramic artists of his generation. Mexican ceramist Gustavo Pérez has exhibited internationally since the 1970s, receiving acclaim for his refined and constantly evolving sculptural vessels. Robert Hudson, who emerged in the 1960s as part of the assemblage sculpture and Funk movements in Northern California, has received much recognition for his colorful large-scale steel sculptures. Los Angeles-based artist Philip Cornelius been working in clay since the 1960s. Known for his technical virtuosity in producing extremely thin, high fire porcelain works, he also ran the ceramic department at Pasadena City College for many years. Ralph Bacerra, known for his technical prowess and sophisticated design sensibility, is a Los Angeles-based artist who has exhibited professionally since the 1960s.