Harris Deller

1947Born Brooklyn, New York

EDUCATION

1971BA California State University, Northridge, California

1973MFA Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1975-2013Professor Emeritus, Southern Illinois University, School of Art and Design, Carbondale, Illinois

 2013—White Roof Studio

BIOGRAPHY

Harris Deller’s work is made from slab-built or wheel-thrown abstract porcelain forms. He often alters the thrown pieces by adding slab-built or extruded components. The surface treatment includes patterns that are incised into the leather-hard clay and then bisque-fired. The patterns he uses are drawn from nature or geometry and typically involve organic repetitive lines, like the ripples from a pebble thrown into water.

Deller intentionally limits his visual vocabulary and explores the effect of repetition, intersection and glazes. For instance, he uses a fine celadon glaze that wells into relief white porcelain borders to create a pattern or, he bisque fires patterns inlayed with a satin matte black glaze, sponged clean and sanded before the second firing. His other surface techniques include terra sigillata, low-fired glazes and an underglaze transfer based on his finger prints.