William Parry | Also Known As: William David Parry
William Parry is known for abstract, slab-built sculptures, as well as experimentations with ceramics and other materials. Some of Parry?s work was inspired by natural forms, such as the Off Butterfly series, ...
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About
- Biography
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William Parry is known for abstract, slab-built sculptures, as well as experimentations with ceramics and other materials. Some of Parry?s work was inspired by natural forms, such as the Off Butterfly series, and from everyday objects, seen in the Knife, Fork, and Spoon series which transformed these objects into unusable sculptures. Parry often brush applied stains or glazes to his sculptures in one solid coat.
Parry originally started working in banking in New York City and applied to Alfred University in 1938. Parry started as an engineering major in the ceramics engineering program, switching to studio arts later.
Parry spent most of his career as professor at Alfred University, teaching alongside ceramic artists Val Cushing, Daniel Rhodes, Robert Turner, and Ted Randall.
" - Apprenticeships & Residencies
- Primary Work Experience
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1942-1945
Military
1948-1963Professor of ceramics, Philadelphia College of Art (now University of the Arts), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1963-1989Professor of ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, New York
Other
- Public Collections
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Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, Alfred, New York
American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, California
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York
- Bibliography
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Cushing, Val. “A Tribute to William Parry.” Studio Potter, June 2004, pg. 92.
Lebow, Edward. “The Gift of William Parry.” Studio Potter, Dec. 2003, pg. 19, 9p.
Zakin, Richard. “William Parry: The Medium is Insistent.” Ceramics Monthly, March 1998, pg. 63-67.
- CV or Resume
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Beul, Jasmine
- Website(s)
Citation: Beul, Jasmine William Parry, "The Marks Project."
Last modified April 29, 2026. https://www.themarksproject.org/artists/william-parry
Objects
Collections
American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA)
Pomona, California
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American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA)
Pomona, California
