Mary Law has focused on functional pots throughout her career. Utilitarian form is the primary consideration of her work. Law works with porcelain that is fired in a sodium vapor kiln. When glazing, shino and temoku glazes are most commonly used.
Law studied with Karen Karnes and Byron Temple at Penland School of Crafts. She found her passion for functional forms which was refined during the following 2 year apprenticeship with Byron Temple. Law began developing “House Pots” in 1984. Inspired by photographs of adobe built West African granaries with thatched roofs; the form is still evolving. Law experimented with sculpture briefly influenced by the work of Betty Woodman who was in residence at Alfred during Law’s graduate study there. Ultimately Law defines herself as a potter.
Other works by Law
Law in other collections
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Last updated: April 22, 2026
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