Ceramic Vase with Robin Egg Blue Glaze by Otto Heino

A tall ceramic vase made by American studio potter Otto Heino (1915-2009) in the late year of his life in his studio in Ojai, California, 1999. Wheel thrown with intentional concentric lines, the surface of the jar is covered with a subtly complex glaze, which Heino was known for experiencing. A lovely Robbin Egg blue glaze revealed a slightly auberge and grey color underneath. Black ash like specks were further splashed across the surface, forming intriguing leaf-like pattern at places. The colors were not uniform but mottled in a random way to achieve a wabi-sabi aesthetics. The mouth and base rims were highlighted in an Iron-black glaze. On the base, it bears the artist's carved name, insignia and the year "99". Ensuite there are two other ceramic pieces covered in similar blue glaze (separate listings). Together, they will make a wonderful group installation.
Vivika and Otto Heino were artist duo working in ceramics throughout the second half of the 20th century. They collaborated as a husband-and-wife team for thirty-five years, signing their pots "Vivika + Otto," regardless of who actually made them. Clean lines and distinctive glazes mark their work; avoiding ceramic trends, they focused on traditional and utilitarian pottery. They were part of a generation that sought to redefine the relationship between ceramics and modern art. The Heinos were awarded the Silver Medal from the International Ceramics Exhibitions in Ostend, Belgium in 1959 and the Gold Medal at the Sixth Biennale Internationale de Céramique d'Art, in Vallauris, France in 1978. Their work can be found in private collections and institutions including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Smithsonian Institution. After Vivika's passing in 1995, Otto continues to work in his CA studio and signed his work "OTTO".