Adam Field

Adam Field is an accomplished potter who has recently returned to the states from a year in Korea where he was honored to study with sixth generation Onggi Master Kim Ill-Maan, whose family is among the last few potters in Korea to create Onggi using strictly traditional techniques with minimal use of modern machinery. Onggi is a style of Korean pottery that dates back generations; it is rooted in large-scale vessels essential for the making of Korean-staple foods such as Kimchi, soy sauce and miso paste. To see an artist create one of these massive vessels is as much a performance as it is a craft.

To view a time-lapse video of this beautiful and ancient technique, click here!

ARTIST STATEMENT  I am fascinated with antique artifacts, the way they can speak of mastery of lost peoples, places, and cultures.  This inspires me to create works that both radiate history and capture my own place and time.  I work toward a clean aesthetic that celebrates the masterful simplicity of antique Far Eastern pottery, while retaining the modest utility of colonial American wares.  The surface of my pottery is meticulously carved with intricate designs that borrow from nature and incorporate the human touch.  Much of the carving on my work is informed by the pattern languages found in indigenous fiber art, such as Hawaiian tapa, Incan cordage and Zulu basketry.