If you have an opportunity to get to Charles Cowles Gallery you can see a wonderful show of Toshiko Takaezu’s signature closed form ceramic works. The way they have been placed in the gallery makes them more of a total installation and the repetition and variation of forms enhances the viewer’s experience. Walking through the gallery is like being in an enchanted forest. The show is only up until July 28. There is, however, another exhibit of her work at the Hunterdon Museum of Art in Clinton, NJ which runs until August 20, 2006.

Also, in a small room at Charles Cowles, is a series of 13 plates by Peter Voulkos. This is the first time I’ve been able to see this many of Voulkos’ works in one place and the fact that they share a single form provides a particularly powerful experience.

The proximity of these two artists, showing forms of limited variety but not limited creativity causes one to long for more exhibits where ceramic artists show work that explores their respective visions in depth rather than seeing a sprinkling of works over many form types.