Status message

Your information has been submitted.

  Printer Friendly Version

Paul Menchhofer

Biography to Display: 

1957 Born Oak Ridge, Tennessee

EDUCATION

1979 BFA Ceramics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee

1994 MFA Ceramics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee

RESIDENCIES

1975 Apprenticeship with Charles Counts, Rising Fawn Pottery, Rising Fawn, Georgia

1978 Guest Artist, Michael Cardew Invites, Wenford Bridge Pottery, Gloucestershire, England

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1979—Studio potter

1987—Researcher, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

BIOGRAPHY

 

 Paul Menchhofer is known for large scale wheel-thrown vessels that are often up to five feet high and weigh 150 pounds. Work is fired using the raku method.

Menchhofer is drawn to the physical and technical challenges of the process of working with clay. The large scale of Menchhofer’s work presented raku firing challenges that led to his design of special equipment to accommodate his work. Pieces are fired multiple times which encourages the visual depth of layered glazes. In the finished state this results in earth toned and iridescent surfaces .

Subject matter for Menchhofer's surfaces includes the exploration of the spiral. This is accomplished through low relief carved and impressed lines on the vessel.  Menchhofer further explores the spiral through sculptural vessels influenced by the shape of galaxies or sea shells. In addition to large vessels, Menchhofer also creates abstract porcelain female figurative pieces on the potter's wheel.

Menchhofer studied with Michael Cadrew and apprenticed with Charles Count.

Public Collections

Public Collections to Display: 

Southern Highland Craft Guild, Asheville, North Carolina

Bibliography

Bibliography to Display: 

Fina, Angela and John Fairbanks. The Best of Pottery, v. 1. Rockport, MA: 1996.

Gustin, Chris and Chris Staley. The Best of Pottery, v.2. Rockport, MA: Quarry Books, 1998.

Mackey, Maureen. Experience Clay. Worcester, MA: Davis Publications, 2011.

Rubenstein, Leonard S. “Dancing with Technology – The World of High Tech Ceramics.” Studio Potter Magazine 22, no.1 (1993).

 

 

 

Center for CraftSouthern Highland Craft Guild

 

 

Center for CraftCenter For Craft

 

Typical Marks
ca 1987
Vase
Date: ca 1987
Materials: Stoneware
Surface Technique: Raku
Southern Highland Craft Guild Collection
Photo: Southern Highland Craft Guild
Southern Highland Craft Guild Collection
Photo: Southern Highland Craft Guild
Casserole
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP

Citation: Jeffrey Kuratnick. "The Marks Project." Last modified April 20, 2023. http://www.themarksproject.org/marks/menchhofer