James Makins

1946 Born Johnstown, Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

1968 BFA University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1973 MFA Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Illinois

APPRENCICESHIPS AND RESIDENCIES

— Apprentice to Byron Temple

1993 Resident artist, Togei no Mori, Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Shigaraki, Japan

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1990-1997 Associate Professor of Art, Philadelphia College of Art and Design, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1997 Professor of Art, Philadelphia College of Art and Design, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 BIOGRAPHY

James Makins work moved from porcelain dinnerware and serving pieces to sculptural work. The latter works can be monumental vessel forms or compositions of multiple functional forms placed on thrown trays in carefully arranged groupings. The pieces are either painted or airbrushed resulting in dense, deep colors that absorb rather than reflect light. These compositions range from monochromatic to multi colored. 

Makin's apprenticeship with Byron Temple gave him insights into the blending of eastern and western pottery traditions. This theme has guided his work throughout his career. Makins studied with Richard DeVore at Cranbrook and began to explore the characteristics of porcelain. He found it rigid, restrictive, and able to be pushed and pulled out of shape yet retain the extreme ridged surfaces of his throwing technique. These throwing rings are characteristic of his work.