East Meets West, 2025

Chris Staley

porcelain, glaze

14" H x 8" Diameter

With a wide, round body and elongated neck, this vase is inspired by historical Chinese and Korean vase forms. The glazed black and white geometric shapes across the surface of the vase are expressions of Chris' longtime interest in modernism. Of particular influence is the sculptor Constantin Brancusi, who used form to question assumptions about art and encourage the viewer to see the world in new ways. As the name suggests, this vase is an intermingling of Eastern and Western cultures. With its sleek design and simple color palette, this piece would be a perfect addition to any collection.

Artist Statement

The essence of making pots for me is about being human. It's about fragility and strength. It's about the intimate moment when the handle of a cup touches the hand.

Pots are about potential.

Pots can create a world of slow time where meaning can be found.

It is a notable experience to use pots that exude the soul of the maker.

All of our senses are engaged in this experience.

Very few things can be touched and leave one a different person. It is this paradox of who is touching whom that gives pots their greatest potential.

As a young boy I often played outdoors and made things out of dirt and sticks. I struggled sitting behind a desk at school. I knew very early that to survive spiritually I had to keep creating with my hands

With technology spreading at a very increasing pace my need to feel the world seems essential.

Artist Biography

Chris Staley (b. 1954, Boston, MA) has lived primarily in the eastern United States his entire life. His undergraduate studies in art were at Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH, where he received a B.F.A. in 1977. After graduation, he spent a year as a Special Student at the Kansas City Art Institute and the following year entered the graduate program at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY where he received an M.F.A.

Chris Staley has had a distinguished teaching career, beginning with Rhode Island School of Design, Wichita State University, and at Pennsylvania State University where he was Professor of Art and Professor-in-Charge of the Ceramics Area in the School of Visual Arts for over 30 years, and now is Professor Emeritus. He is also active in the community, serving on the boards of both the Archie Bray Foundation and the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Most recently he was a long term Guest Artist here at The Clay Studio.

Donated by the artist - Chris Staley.

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