The Decorated Surface

Decorating pots has a long history and its study allows us to explore and understand cultures from around the world. From its beginning, pottery offered a surface for decoration. For example, the earlier pots of the Jomon culture (Japan, 14,000 to 7,500 BCE) used for cooking or storing food, had cord-markings imprinted on their surface. Painted Greek pottery dates to the Stone Age (4000 to 2000 BCE) and more elaborate decoration appeared in the Bronze Age (3300 to 1200 BCE) depicting the lifestyle of the times as well as myths and legends. Their study gives us a glimpse into their religious beliefs, rituals, and cultural practices.

This project, The Decorated Surface, has been percolating for a long time. It is meant both as an homage to the late Matthias Ostermann (1950-2009) and as a look at contemporary decorated surface in the work of six Canadian artists. Ostermann became known for his maiolica, the three books and many articles he published, as well as the workshops he gave internationally. The artists presented are Carole Epp (Saskatchewan), Debra Kuzyk and Ray Mackie (Lucky Rabbit, Nova Scotia), Richard Mund (Ontario), Karin Pavey (Ontario), and Jim Smith (Nova Scotia). Each one of them is known for their unique style of decorating—some looking back at history while others address current issues.

The Decorated Surface features essays by Scott Barnim, Peter Flannery, Suzann Greenaway, Paul Greenhalgh, Denis Longchamps, Cheyenne Mapplebeck, and Diana Reitberger.

100 pages, full colour
8 x 10 in, hard cover
ISBN 978-1-928022-43-5