Through selections from local collections and West Coast museums, this exhibition is a survey of ceramics by the late Gertrud and Otto Natzler. The Natzlers – internationally known for their distinct lava and crater glazes and elegant hand-thrown vessels – produced over 25,000 works together out of their Los Angeles-based studio between 1935 and 1971. Selected works by Adam Silverman and Jeremy Briddell reveal the continued impact of the Natzler’s forms and glazes in contemporary ceramics. Audio recordings of Otto Natzler’s lecture for the Portland Art Museum in 1975, two documentary films and a complimentary brochure with an essay by Prudence Roberts provide additional context.

Download the exhibition brochure (PDF)

AUDIO FILE
Lecture by Otto Natzler, March 11th, 1975
Listen to a lecture by Otto Natzler on his practice with his wife Gertrud, their many inspirations and their technical methods of creating forms and glazes. Given at the Portland Art Museum, on the occasion of the exhibition Natzler Ceramics at the Contemporary Crafts Gallery (now Museum of Contemporary Craft).

Courtesy of the archives of Museum of Contemporary Craft.

RELATED PROGRAMMING

MEMBER EVENT
Member Preview Reception
Friday, August 1, 6:30-8:30 PM

EVENING DISCUSSION
Craft Conversation: Dawn Odell and Namita Wiggers on Shards
Thursday, October 9, 6:30 PM
Read more.

EXHIBITION TOUR
Curator Walkthrough
Tuesday, October 14, noon
Read more.

LECTURE
CraftPerspectives: Garth Clark
How Envy Killed the Crafts Movement: An Autopsy in Two Parts
Tuesday, October 16, 6:30 PM
Read more.

Images:

Gertrud and Otto Natzler, Teardrop Vase, c. 1962; Ceramic; Promised gift from Carol and Seymour Haber; Photo: Dan Kvitka

Gertrud and Otto Natzler, Bright Blue Bowl, 1968; Ceramic; Gift of Tom Hardy; Collection of Museum of Contemporary Craft; Photo: Dan Kvitka