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

Doug Lawrie

EDUCATION

Architecture, Stamford University, Stamford, California

Ceramics, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California

 

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

United States Army, Hawaii

University of California, Santa Barbara, California

Director, Arts-in-Corrections program, Avenal State Prison, Avenal, California

 

BIOGRAPHY

Doug Lawrie is known for slab-built functional stoneware ceramics high fired in wood-burning kiln. He took classes with Paul Soldener at Claremont. However, his major influence was his study and work during 26 years living in Japan where he studied with potter Kawai Kanjiro, one of the founders of Japan's folk art movement. Lawrie’s work is characterized by its rich, earthy finish. The surfaces were also finished with brush applied glaze creating abstract imagery. Oval bottle forms were a major part of his production. 

In 1969 visited Australia where Lawrie joined Les Blakebrough at Sturt Pottery in as a visiting artist. Lawrie exhibited his work at Macquarie Galleries in Sydney in 1970. At the invitation of the Australian Potters’ Society Lawrie returned to Australia from Japan in 1979. He returned to California in 1980 where he taught ceramics for two years before he became Director of the State Arts-in-Corrections program at Avenal State Prison. 

Public Collections

Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College, Claremont, California

University of Canberra, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Manly, Australia

Bibliography

Doug Lawrie Pottery. Sydney, Australia: Macquarie Galleries, 1970.

Perry, Barbara. American Ceramics: The Collection of the Everson Museum of Art. New York, NY: Rizzoli International Publishers, 1989.

http://www.australianpotteryatbemboka.com.au/shop/index.php?manufacturers_id=300  Last accessed: November 6, 2022. 

 

 

 

Center for CraftSouthern Highland Craft Guild

 

Typical Marks
1980-1990
Sculpture
Date: ca 1973
The Forrest L. Merrill Collection, Dane Cloutier Archives
The Forrest L. Merrill Collection, Dane Cloutier Archives
Sculpture
Date: ca 1980
The Forrest L. Merrill Collection, Dane Cloutier Archives
The Forrest L. Merrill Collection, Dane Cloutier Archives
Yunomi
Date: ca 1980
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Woodfire
Steve Franklin Collection
Photo: Steve Franklin
Steve Franklin Collection
Photo: Steve Franklin
Photo: Steve Franklin
Covered Jar
Date: 1960
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Hand-Built
Surface Technique: Glaze, Incised
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Marer Collection, Scripps College, 78.1.99
Photo: TMP
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Marer Collection, Scripps College, 78.1.99
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Vase
Date: ca 1961
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown and Altered, Slip-Cast
Surface Technique: Brushwork, Glaze
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Marer Collection, Scripps College, 78.1.579
Photo: TMP
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Marer Collection, Scripps College, 78.1.579
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP

Citation: Clark, Donald. "The Marks Project." Last modified July 22, 2025. http://www.themarksproject.org:443/print/marks/lawrie

Tags

Scripps College Museum, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Marer Collection, American Ceramic Circle, Kawai Kanjiro, Japan's folk art movement, Japan, Paul Soldener, Slab Built, Stoneware, Functional, Wood Fired, Brush Applied Glaze, Australia, Les Blakebrough, Sturt Pottery, Macquarie Galleries, Sydney, Australia

 

©2016 The Marks Project, Inc | [email protected] | This printer-friendly version is provided for non-commercial use only.

Terms & Conditions (http://themarksproject.org/terms-and-conditions) | Privacy Policy (http://themarksproject.org/privacy-policy)