Ruenell Foy Temps

1940 Born San Francisco, California

2020 Died Bradenton, Florida

EDUCATION

1958 – 1960 Art Major, University of California, Davis, California

1965 AA College of Marin, Kentfield, California

1970 BFA Painting and Drawing, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, California

1971 MFA Ceramics, University of California, Berkeley, California

APPRENTICESHIPS & RESIDENCIES

1975 Artist in Residence, Anderson Ranch, Aspen, Colorado

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1964 – 2016 Studio Artist

1972 – 1976 Instructor, College of Marin, Kentfield, California

1973 – 1998 Lecturer, University of California, California State College

BIOGRAPHY

Ruenell Foy Temps is best known for hand-built, press and drape molded stoneware sculptural vessel forms, salt-fired in a gas kiln. Many of Temps’ sculptures employ architecturally referenced forms and, although they may have elaborately styled handles, there is an allover control and ordered surface. Work scale varied from tabletop functional pottery to monumental sculptures. Her functional stoneware pottery at times employing references to everyday objects such as bolts.

Temps was part of the 1950s California art scene. She was introduced to clay by Edwin Cadogan an instructor at College of Marin. At the University of California, Davis, Temps studied with Wayne Thiebaud and Ronald Peterson. Later at the University of California, Berkeley, Temps studied under Peter Voulkos. At the San Francisco Art Institute Temps studied with Tom Holland and Sam Tchkalian.

Although known for her ceramics, Temps was also a studio artist focused on painting.  In the article “The signing of Pottery”, Ceramics Monthly (1976), Temps states that signing her work is a matter of pride and responsibility toward her art.