The Marks Project - A Marks Dictionary of American Studio Pottery, 1946 to Present

Karl Christiansen

1931 Born Forest City, Iowa

2007 Died Davenport, Iowa

EDUCATION

Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota

MA, Art Education, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

1962 MFA, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

Art Teacher, Alexandria High School, Alexandria, Minnesota

Professor of Art, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa

BIOGRAPHY

Karl Christiansen is known for functional stoneware pottery. Christiansen’s pottery is glazed with simple earth-tones. Apart from strictly functional objects, Christiansen also made larger, decorative vessels.

While teaching at Luther College, Christiansen established the department of pottery.

Public Collections

Brunnier Art Museum, Ames, Iowa

Canton Museum of Art, Canton, Ohio

Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, Mason City, Iowa

Bibliography

“Karl Christiansen.” Iowa State University: University Museums. Last accessed November 4, 2022. https://emuseum.its.iastate.edu/people/3771/karl-christiansen/objects

“Karl Christiansen.” Inforum, July 11, 2007. Last accessed November 4, 2022. https://www.inforum.com/obituaries/karl-christiansen

Southern Highland Craft Guild

Typical Marks

Signed Christiansen Liberty Iowa on raku ware, a few works signed St. Petersburg, Florida from 1988-1989.

1975-1980

1987—

Casserole

Date: 1985

Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze

The Forrest L. Merrill Collection, Dane Cloutier Archives

Wine Bottle

Date: 1985

Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze

The Forrest L. Merrill Collection, Dane Cloutier Archives

Teapot

Date: 1985

Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze

The Forrest L. Merrill Collection, Dane Cloutier Archives

Soup Bowl

Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze

Photo: ISU

Brunnier Art Museum, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, gift of Carmon Slater and Donald Randall, um2016.359a-f.09.2022.jb

Punch Bowl

Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze

Photo: ISU

Brunnier Art Museum, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, gift of Carmon Slater and Donald Randall, um2016. 308a-u,09,2022,jb

Photo: ISU

Soup Tureen

Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze

Photo: ISU

Brunnier Art Museum, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, gift of Carmon Slater and Donald Randall, um2016.358abc.09.2022.jb

Teapot

Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown, Hand-Built
Surface Technique: Glaze

Photo: ISU

Brunnier Art Museum, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, gift of Carmon Slater and Donald Randall, um2016.320ab.09.2022.jb

Honey Pot

Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze

Brunnier Art Museum, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, gift of Carmon Slater and Donald Randall, um2016.311ab. 09.2022.jb

Citation: Beul, Jasmine. "The Marks Project." Last modified January 18, 2024. http://www.themarksproject.org:443/print/marks/christiansen