Porcelain Celadon Vase with Copper Glaze by Brother Thomas Bezanson

A spindle form porcelain vase by Brother Thomas Bezanson (1929-2007). As a modern interpretation of "Mei-Ping", a classic form of Chinese vase, the vase takes a drastic transformation from its original inspiration and settles on a minimalistic outcome. It conveys the essence and the spirit of that archaic form. The vase is glazed in clear celadon, a glaze color that reached its zenith in Song Dynasty. On top of that, bold abstract strokes of copper red were overlaid, forming a dramatic contrasts of the quiet and subdued background. Fine crackles cover the whole surface and add another interesting layer to the piece visually. Philosophically, the design may invoke the contemplation of the balance between stillness and movement, reflection and action, ying and yang.
The vase stand 14 inches high in its slender but well balanced form. It was signed on the base as shown.
Provenance available.
Brother Thomas Bezanson (1929-2007) was a Canadian born artist and Benedictine monk primarily known for his porcelain pottery and mastery of complex glazes. Strongly influenced by Asian pottery, often adapting traditional Chinese and Japanese pottery methods and materials to his work. He is renowned for his original glaze recipes and perfect forms and always sought to create something new and beautiful. His exacting standards made for the shattering of over 80% of each firing. One "rescued" piece however is now in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. His estate is represented by Pucker Gallery in Boston.
See two examples with the same "copper red" glaze, see illustration 36 and 56 in "The porcelain of Brother Thomas The path to the Beautiful" by Godine/Pucker Safrai.