Posey Bacopoulos

Function is vital to what I make. My goal is to integrate form, function and surface in a manner that brings a sense of excitement to my work. I am continually exploring the relationship between surface decoration and form. Then in the surface treatment of my work I use line, pattern and color to create the varied surfaces. The floral motifs on my pots are patterns rather than actual representations that serve to divide the space in interesting ways. I use gold decals as a contrast to my painterly surfaces.

The pots combine thrown, altered and hand-built sections. These sections are made separately and then assembled. I enjoy altering the thrown forms and working in this manner because it allows me to make pots of differing forms and shapes.

My work is a contemporary approach to the traditional majolica of the Italian Renaissance. Majolica is a glaze tradition that began in the Middle East in the 9th century with a tin-opacified glaze and then spread to Europe. The majolica glaze is very smooth and white, which makes a good surface for decorating. The various colors are applied usually with a brush to the majolica surface to create the active patterns and decorations.

Finally, I love to make pots and I love to decorate and I combine these two loves in my work. My hope is that the pots invite use and that my pleasure in making them is shared by those who use them.

-- Posey Bacopoulos

Posey Bacopoulos is a studio potter working in New York City.

She started making pots in evening classes at Greenwich House Pottery. She then continued her ceramic education at several craft schools including Penland School of Craft and Anderson Ranch.

Her work has been shown in numerous national juried and invitational exhibitions.. The work has recently been published in several books including The Best of Pottery 2, The Art of Contemporary American Pottery, 100 Artists 1000 Cups and many Lark 500 Books. Her work and process have also been published in books and articles on majolica.

She has taught numerous workshops on both thrown and altered forms and majolica decoration at such places as Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Penland School of Crafts and many community craft organizations. She enjoys both making and teaching.