Edward S. Eberle

1944Born Tarentum, Pennsylvania

2023 Died, Pittsburgh, Peensylvania

EDUCATION

1967BS Edinboro State College, Edinboro, Pennsylvania

1972MFA New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, New York

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1971-1975Faculty, Philadelphia College of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1975-1985Associate Professor in Ceramics and Drawing, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

BIOGRAPHY 

Edward S. Eberle is known for his paper-thin, wheel-thrown, porcelain vessels of both closed and open forms with layered narrative drawing and painting across the surfaces. Using black ceramic ink, terra sigillata, and scraffito, he decorates the unglazed porcelain surfaces with compositions of elaborately interlinked human and animal forms.

Eberle's narrative imagery and forms are influenced by Asian architecture, Greek pottery and the black-on-white pottery of the Mimbres of South Western New Mexico. His often chaotic scenes are usually accented with geometric-motif banding.

Eberle also builds large structures using multiple thrown and altered pieces. These are sometimes slab constructed. A number of these structures are deconstructed, reconfigured and decorated, blending the inside with the outside. Eberle is sometimes identified as a Postmodern ceramist.