ABOUT THE ARTIST

Larry Halvorsen was born in Washington State in 1948 and is a self-taught potter.  Ancient stone tools, ritual objects, Celtic monoliths and forms from nature are some of the inspirations for his sculptures and sculptural objects.  Recently he began an exploration of frogs and turtles.  The carving on all his pieces both sculptural and functional is the result of a life long exploration of line and pattern.

ABOUT THE WORK

Larry Halvorsen works with stoneware clay, which is fired to cone 10 or 2300 degrees.  He uses a combination of hand building techniques including coils, press and slump molds and slab building.  All the pieces are coated with black slip, and then using the ancient technique of sgraffito he carves through the slip revealing the natural clay beneath.  Some small production pieces are made on the potter’s wheel and then finished using the same process.

EDUCATION

1968-73, BS in Fisheries Science, University of Washington

EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS

2006, Juried Exhibition, Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA

2004, Looking Forward Glancing Back, Northwest Designer Craftsmen 50th Anniversary

2001, “Made of Clay,” Patina Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

1999, Pacific Northwest Arts Fair Award of Excellence

1998, Potters Choice, Washington Potters Association Annual Juried Show

1992, Gap Grant, Artist Trust, Seattle, Washington

1990, Artist Fellowship, California Arts Council

Honors

1992, Gap Grant, Artist Trust, Seattle, WA

1990, Artist Fellowship, California Arts Council, State of California