Ralph Bacerra Essay -- Art

Ralph Bacerra attended Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angelas. Although his original intention was to run short a graphic designer, his career path changed after taking a class with Vivika Heino (Stewart, 2008). Heino was the lead ceramics teacher at Chouinard and it was under her instruction that Bacerra appoint his love for ceramics. Heino was very influential in her use of glazes and inspired Bacerra to examine and branch out in regards to his glazing methods. After a brief check in the military Bacerra traveled to China and Japan where he was greatly influenced by the style and glazing techniques of the East. Bacerra went back to Chouinard where he taught for eight years and served as chairman of the ceramics department and later served the same position at genus Otis College of Art and Design (Bacerra, 2004). Bacerra uses very distinctive geometric elements in his ceramic pieces. Bacerras pieces incorporate stripes of shifting background hues, twisting lines, with mesh cube s and cones with cylinders and other geometric volumes (Lloyd, 2010 Clothier, 2012). At first glance Bacerras pieces appear to have odds and ends jutting out in peculiar and ergodic ways. However, when one takes a closer look, all of the shapes and lines work together in a simple and elegant way. Many of his pieces have a mixed bag of both organic and mechanical elements. He uses organic shell-like circles and smooth, almost melted looking lines along with defined geometric squares, triangles, and circles giving his work a distinct abstract look. Bacerra uses a wide range of color in his pieces but sticks mostly with a bluish-green palate with hints of gold. Many of his pieces are comprised of unalike shades and values of blue and green (sometimes purple ... ...il 7-19). Interview by F Lloyd Audio Tape Recording. Oral history interview with ralph bacerra. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. , Retrieved from http//www.aaa.si.edu/collections/interviews/oral-histor y-interview-ralph-bacerra-12942Clothier, P. (2012). Ralph bacerra. American ceramics, Retrieved from http//www.peterclothier.com/ralph-bacerra.html Hamer, F., & Hamer, J. (2004). The potters dictionary of materials and techniques. (5 ed.). Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania Press.Lloyd, F. (2010). Ralph bacerra. Retrieved from http//www.franklloyd.com/dynamic/artist_bio.asp?ArtistID=1 Jenyns, S. (1971). Japanese pottery. London, England Praeger Publishers.Stewart, J. Y. (2008, June 13). Ceramic artist famed for use of patterns. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http//articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/13/local/me-bacerra13