Daniel, Dan, Anderson

1945Born St. Paul, Minnesota

2023 Died Edwardsville, Indiana

EDUCATION

1963-1968BS, Art Education, University of Wisconsin at River Falls, Wisconsin

1968-1970MFA, Ceramics, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1970-2002Professor Emeritus, Ceramics, Department of Art & Design, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois

2000-2009 Board of Directors, Edwardsville Art Center, Edwardsville, Illinois

2001-2010Board of Directors, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, Montana

Daniel Anderson uses stoneware and porcelain to create both wheel-thrown and hand-built functional vessels often in the form of mid-twentieth-century oilcans as well as small-scale sculptural pieces referencing classic vessel forms.

When grouped together, the various sculptural forms reflect Anderson’s interest in the architecture of farm buildings; the teapot represents the central building and sugar bowl and cup represent various outbuildings. He achieves a muted and weathered surface on his brightly glazed vessels by wood firing, sometimes adding soda to the firing. This technique adds depth to the surface of his more sculptural works and links directly to the appearance of decaying Midwestern buildings. He uses both gas and wood-fired kilns to create different effects. His experimentation with post-firing techniques includes adding decals and then sandblasting the piece to create the weathered appearance he favors. His decals often include iconic images from American pop culture, including oil company logos and images of well-known celebrities.

Anderson’s years of experimentation and experience using wood-fired kilns, including his own Anagama kiln, has influenced generations of potters to create wood-fired works.