Elsa Rady

1943Born New York, New York

2011Died Culver City, California

EDUCATION

1962-1966Ceramics, Chouinard Art Institute, now California Institute of the Arts, Los Angeles, California

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1966-1968, 1989-1994Interpace Franciscan China Corporation, Glendale, California

UnknownStudio Artist, Venice, California

BIOGRAPHY

Elsa Rady is known for simple porcelain vessels, typically vases, bottles, and bowls. Many of her bowl forms have diagonal cuts at the rim to visually create the feeling of centripetal motion. 

Rady used her work to reinterpret ancient classical ceramic forms and techniques, particularly those derived from Asian ceramic traditions. The simplicity and clean lines of her work also reflect mid-century modern aesthetics. She challenged the existing standards for ceramic display by creating custom wall-mounted shelves and suspending her works from stainless steel cords. 

Rady studied with Ralph Bacerra and Otto and Vivika Heino at the Chouinard Art Institute. She worked designing for both Interpace Franciscan China Corporation and Swid Powell Corporation. She maintained her studio in Venice, California.

Her ceramics have become icons of contemporary design.