Pot Madness Artwork Analysis

The artwork I have chosen to analyze is a wood-fired sculptural piece of pottery. The work is listed as taking the form of a blade, and was crafted by Daniel Johnston. The piece is a part of a curated show entitled Pot Madness, which was on display in Hunt Gallery. Pot Madness showcased a small portion of Bill Potter’s collection of wood-fired pots. The blade itself stands upright at thirty-five inches, one of the taller pieces in the collection, but is quite narrow both in width and depth. The placement of the work in the gallery downplayed the imposing nature of the blade, as it was placed closer to the ground, while many of the larger pots were placed on high pedestals. This choice, however, was made by the curator of the show, Nancy Ross, not the artist, but it is still relevant to the analysis of the work. One of the most notable elements presented in this sculpture is the scale. Standing at nearly three feet, the work defies function, especially as a blade despite its classification. This immediately sets it apart from the other pots in …show more content…
While there is some variety in hue and value, the colors work in harmony with each other. The closest thing the work has to contrast would be, again, those dark patches. This works well with the line and shape to create a very organic form. Going back to the idea that the piece is more representative of a leaf rather than a blade, these colors enhance the forms to evoke a feeling of walking through a forest.
There is something humble about this piece that is a product of all of these elements working together. The work is wholly harmonious, it isn’t striking, but it doesn’t feel like it was meant to be. It isn’t intended to turn heads or draw a crowd; it simply is. Of course one could see beauty in it, but it feels reminiscent of the beauty one finds in a sunset or a crisp autumn wood. The essence of the natural world is exuded beautifully by this