Assad | The Marks Project

About

Biography

Kristen Kieffer uses a variety of methods to form mid-range porcelain works. Most are either slab built or begin as wheel thrown forms. While the clay is still pliable it is altered by stamping or by adding darts. The darts when completed create a raised all-over grid of forms that are created by cutting into the clay form, removing some material then re-attaching the edges creating shapes in the wall of the object. Spouts, handles, and feet are hand-built, pulled, and shaped.Drape molds are used occasionally for serving pieces.

Keiffer?s surfaces are created using many methods including stamping, sprigging, slip-trailing, and sponging chosen to accent and define the forms. All work is fired in an electric kiln.

Antique silver serving pieces have influenced her choice of forms as well as the monochrome glaze approach she prefers. Other influences are Moroccan architecture, textiles used for upholstery and clothing, vintage embroidery and cake decorations.

Apprenticeships & Residencies

1993

1994

Fulbright Scholar, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

1995

Resident Artist, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snow Mass, Colorado

2012

Resident Artist, Residency Association of Israel’s Decorative Arts/Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Givat Haviva, Israel

Primary Work Experience

1990

Studio Artist

2007

Faculty, special appointment, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri

Other

Public Collections

American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, California

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the de Young Museum, San Francisco, California

www.rosenfieldcollection.com

Bibliography

Assad, Christa, and Richard Jacobson. Searching for Beauty: Letters from a Collector to a Studio Potter. Dayton, OH: Kestrel, 2007.

____________. “Two Sides to Every Coin.” The Studio Potter 38, no. 1 (Winter 2010).

____________. “ReUpped.” The Studio Potter 44, no. 1 (Winter/Spring 2016).

Besson, Anita (juror), Jimmy Clark (juror), and Michio Sugiyama (juror). Ceramics Monthly International Competition. Westerville, OH: The American Ceramics Society, 1999.

Burgard, Timothy Anglin, Karin Breuer, and Jill D’Alessandro. The Diane and Sandy Besser Collection, A Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (exhibition catalogue). San Francisco, California: Fine Arts Museum, 2007.

Butler, Ruth (editor). “Emerging Artists 2002.” Ceramics Monthly 50, no. 5 (May 2002).

Frankenberger, Scott. “A Well-Dusted Collection: An Interview with Bruno and Mary Moser.” Ceramics Monthly 54, no. 2 (October 2006).

Gabbart, Ann, Wayne Higby, and Anne West. Walter Ostrom: The Advocacy of Pottery (exhibition catalogue). Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1996.

Gess, Terry. 500 Pitchers: Contemporary Expressions of a Classical Form. Asheville, North Carolina: Lark Books, 2006.

Gonzalez, Matt. “Christa Assad: Reobjectification – War and Clay.” Ceramics: Art & Perception 91.

Hall, Sherman (editor). “Ceramic Artist of the Year: Christa Assad,” Ceramic Arts 2013 Yearbook. Westerville Ohio: The American Ceramic Society, 2013.

___________________. “What it Takes: Working Potters,” Ceramics Monthly Vol. 55, no. 6, June/July 2007.

Hatch, Molly. “Christa Assad: A Life Made From Mud.” American Craft 68, no. 5 (October/November 2008).

Hluch, Kevin. The Art of American Contemporary Pottery. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2000.

Jacobs, Richard. “Letters to a Young Potter,” introduction by Christa Assad, edited by Mary Barringer. The Studio Potter 32, no. 2 (June 2004).

Kangas, Matthew. Review: “Christa Assad at Friesen Abmeyer Fine Art,” Ceramics Monthly 60, no. 9 (November 2012).

_______________. “Christa Assad: Proceed with Caution,” Visual Art Source, December 2013. https://www.visualartsource.com/index.php?page=editorial&pcID=27&aID=2023

Lawton, Jim. 500 Teapots: Contemporary Expressions of a Timeless Design v. 2. Asheville, NC: Lark Crafts, 2013.

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