George Whitten

George Whitten is best known for large ceramic sculptures composed of drape-molded, slab-built and or wheel thrown elements. Surface techniques include stamping, carving, tearing, and thin glaze applications. Whitten formulates his clay body and glazes using commercially available components. Sculptures are up to four foot high abstracted vessel forms with built up glazed and raku fired surface.

An apprentice uses cardboard templates to cut out parts which are to be textured and slip is applied before the sculpture is reassembled. Whitten then alters and decorates each piece, applying colored terra sigillata, low-fired glazes, and a copper matt finish. First firing is in an electric kiln and then he raku fires each piece up to Cone 5 as many as 25 times.

Whitten’s sculptures are featured in the TV series Miami Vice. Whitten is also an abstract painter.