The Dictionary of American Ceramics, 1945 onward
Dictionary of American Ceramics, 1945 onward
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Kristen Kieffer
EDUCATION
1990-1993 AA Studio Arts, Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland
1993-1995 BFA Ceramics, New York State Ceramics College, Alfred University, Alfred, New York
1998-2001 MFA Ceramics, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
APPERNTICESHIPS AND RESIDENCIES
2003 Resident Artist Guldagergard Museum of International Ceramic Art, Skaelskor, Denmark
2008 Artists-Invite-Artists Resident, Watershed Center of the Ceramic Arts, Newcastle, Maine
2014 Visiting Artist Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, Montana
PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE
1995-1996 Pottery Intern Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan
1996-1997 Resident Artist and Assistant, John Glick, Plum Tree Pottery, Farmington Hills, Michigan
1997-1998 Resident, Ceramics Instructor, Gallery Assistant, Visiting Lecturer, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
2001—Ceramics Instructor, Worcester Center of Crafts, Worcester, Massachusetts
2003—Studio Potter, Kieffer Ceramics
2009 Adjunct Instructor, Harvard University Arts, Boston, Massachusetts
BIOGRAPHY
Kristen Kieffer uses a variety of methods to form mid-range porcelain works. Most are either slab built or begin as wheel thrown forms. While the clay is still pliable it is altered by stamping or by adding darts. The darts when completed create a raised all-over grid of forms that are created by cutting into the clay form, removing some material then re-attaching the edges creating shapes in the wall of the object. Spouts, handles, and feet are hand-built, pulled, and shaped. Drape molds are used occasionally for serving pieces.
Keiffer’s surfaces are created using many methods including stamping, sprigging, slip-trailing, and sponging chosen to accent and define the forms. All work is fired in an electric kiln.
Antique silver serving pieces have influenced her choice of forms as well as the monochrome glaze approach she prefers. Other influences are Moroccan architecture, textiles used for upholstery and clothing, vintage embroidery and cake decorations.
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
AKAR Design Gallery & Architecture, Iowa City, Iowa
Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Clay Times, Waterford, Virginia
Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Guldagergård, International Ceramic Research Center, Skælskør, Denmark
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan
The International MuseumDinnerware Design, Ann Arbor, Michigan
John Folse Culinary Institute, Thibodaux, Louisiana
Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, Farmville, Virginia
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, Texas
Southern Pottery Equipment, Thibodaux, Louisiana
Taipei County Yingee Ceramics Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
BIBLIOGRAPHY
“12 Crafters to Know in Central Mass.” Worcester Living, Winter issue 2013.
Anders, K. T. “Kristen’s Secret: The Lingerie Connection.” Clay Times 9, no.1 (January/February 2003).
Arbuckle, Linda. 500 Plates & Chargers: Innovative Expressions of Function & Style. New York, NY: Lark Books, 2008.
Badenhorst, Antoinette. “La Mesa Exhibition: A Review.” Ceramics Art and Perception 20, no.4 (2010).
Bosworth, Joy. Ceramics with Mixed Media. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006.
Burnett, Jason Bige. Graphic Clay: Ceramic Surfaces & Printed Image Transfer Techniques. New York, NY: Lark Books, 2015.
Carter, Ben. Mastering the Potter’s Wheel. New York, NY: Voyageur Press, 2016.
Cushing, Val and Chris Rich. The Ceramic Design Book: A Gallery of Contemporary Work. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 1998.
“Emerging Artists 2003.” Ceramics Monthly 51 (May2003).
“Exposure, Beyond the Brickyard at the Bray.” Ceramics Monthly (April 2014).
Galloway, Julia and Ray Hemachandra. 500 Vases: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Form. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2010.
Gess, Terry. 500 Pitchers: Contemporary Expressions of a Classic Form. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2006.
Hatch, Molly. New Ceramic Surface Design. Minneapolis, MN: Quarry Books, 2015.
Hluch, Kevin. The Art of American Contemporary Pottery. Iola, WI: Krauss Publications, 2000.
Hopper, Robin. Making Marks: Discovering the Ceramic Surface. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2004.
Karle, Lauren. “Kristen Kieffer: The Impact of Daily Elegance,” Ceramics Monthly (September 2012).
Kieffer, Kristen, et al. “Starting Out” article series. Studio Potter 33.
“Kristen Kieffer’s Ceramics: Tailoring Wheel-Thrown Forms into New Profiles.” New England Craft Connoisseur 10, no. 3.
Lark Crafts. The Best of 500 Ceramics: Celebrating a Decade in Clay. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2012.
Merino, Anthony. “2009 NCECA Biennial, The Clay National: An Independent Review.” Ceramics Art and Perception 19 no. 4 (2009).
Mills, Maureen. Surface Design for Ceramics. New York, NY: Lark Books, 2008. Pozo, Angela. 500 Tiles: An Inspiring Collection of International Work. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2008.
Reason, Emily. Ceramics for Beginners: Wheel Throwing. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2010.
Salaff, Shana. “Relating Pattern to Form.” Pottery Making Illustrated (May 2014).
Spotlight: “Open to Change.” Ceramics Monthly
Taylor, Brian and Kate Doody. Glaze: The Ultimate Ceramic Artist’s Guide to Glaze and Color. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, 2014.
Tourtillott, Suzanne J. 500 Teapots: Contemporary Expressions of a Timeless Design. v 2. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2013.
_________________. 500 Cups: Ceramic Explorations of Utility & Grace. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2004.
Zakin, Richard and Frederick Bartolovic. Electric Kiln Ceramics. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2004.
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Source: Artist
WEBSITE(S):
Artist's Studio: Kieffer Ceramics
Citation: "The Marks Project." Last modified July 27, 2023. http://www.themarksproject.org/marks/kieffer
