Fine Early Sculptural Ceramic Hand-built Vessel by Ewen Henderson

A large conical form vase by British ceramicist Ewen Henderson (1934-2000) circa 1970s. The stoneware vessel was hand built with irregular edges and surface textures where the finger pinches of the clays by the artist are evident. The use of a mixture of clay manifests as a various composition with visible mosaic-like formation across the surface. This, coupled with kiln oxidation and the application of mottled multi-color glazes (pale fawn, brown and green), created an interesting landscape "painting" on the exterior wall intended by the artist. The thin wall vessel stands tall and elegant with an striking organic form. It was not intended as a functional piece but a painted sculpture.
Provenance: From an English collection. Purportedly purchased from Marjorie Parr Gallery London in 1973.
Artist Biography (courtesy of MAAK): Ewen Henderson was born in Staffordshire and after he served his national service in the RAF began to pursue an artist career, starting a foundation course at Goldsmith’s College in 1964. It was here that he first encountered clay and after a year at Goldsmith’s he enrolled at Camberwell School of Art to study ceramics under, amongst others, Hans Coper and Lucy Rie. In contrast to the works of Coper and Rie, Henderson chose to explore the possibilities of hand-building, finding greater dynamic potential in asymmetry. Pushing the boundaries between sculpture and craft, Henderson established an international reputation and became one of Britain's foremost ceramic artists to emerge in the 1960s. His work, characterized by rough, dry surfaces made of mixtures of clay colored with oxides and stains, continually developed as his vessels became increasingly organic and sculptural. Henderson not only worked in clay but was also consistently producing works on paper, in watercolor, charcoal and collage. His artistic vision encompassed all the mediums he worked in, exploring through works on paper the same concerns of form, color and texture that preoccupied him with his pots.