|
 |
|
| News |
|
William De Morgan TILES
|
by Jon Catleugh
De Morgan's designs are fascinating, delicate and flowing, detailed and elegant, simplistic and inspiring … in a word: exquisite.
[Inside Jacket]:
William Frend De Morgan (1839-1917) was one of the most important potters of the late 19th century, an innovator both in design and technique. A recent writer said of him "that he was an artist in the true sense of the word…distinguishes his work from the mass of Victorian pottery." De Morgan was the friend of William Morris and Burne Jones, and was involved with the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. His interests in the traditions of artisanship, his mastery of a range of skills, including stained glass and pottery, and his breadth of vision make him the archetype of the Victorian artist/craftsman.
His great specialty, however, was designing tiles, decorated with vivid patterns of leaves and flowers, birds and monsters, ships and animals. The designs are derived from a variety of sources but share a vigorous individuality, carefully related to the rhythms of tiles design, and the different uses - such as fireplaces and dados-to which tiles were put. His wide range of design sources is matched by his interesting different potting and glazing techniques. Though his business was not financially a success the tiles that he produced were much appreciated in the nineteenth century, and appeal today to a growing group of collectors and ceramic experts and practitioners.
Researching "tiles" I came upon this man and his works. This book contains three essays: De Morgan as a tile designer and history of the craft; De Morgan's design sources and types of design; and technical innovations and pottery methods.
I took four very simple patterns from the book and experimented with them:
Some of the examples shown in the book are derived from the Aesthetic Movement of 1870s and 1880s, rugs and tapestries, material prints, flowers, animals (real and mythical), wallpaper, vegetables, and Islamic influence.
'De Morgan's mind was ever full of original methods and ideas on all sorts of subjects … and he was always loath to accept preconceived systems of doing things until he had made trial of his own.'
|
|
A Great Reference Book Full of Ideas
|
Whether you are starting a new project, looking for decorating ideas, collecting, or interested in learning something about the history of tiles, “Tile” by Jill Herbers, with outstanding photographs by Roy Wright, is a book you should try to find.
Our local library had the hardback 1996 edition. Wanting a copy for my personal library and knowing this would be used for future references, as well as enjoyment, I found the 2002 revised paperback edition at Amazon.com here: Tile(Artisan Sales, 2002; ISBN: 1579652093)
[BACK COVER]:
Now in paperback, here is the definitive, comprehensive, and infinitely inspiring work, beloved alike by designers, homeowners, and those who crave color, beauty, and art. Tile is the history, culture, style, and brilliant illumination of the thousands of ways ceramic is being interpreted today. With ‘lilting prose and photographs to die for’ (Booklist), Tile gorgeously details the most innovative designs in kitchens and baths, ventures into unconventional spaces like home offices, staircases, fireplaces, then moves outdoors to show ‘gardens of tile.’ A universe of subjects includes tiled furniture, displaying tile, tiling on a budget, terra-cottas, and the secret life of glazes. The thoroughly revised Sources section contains hundreds of entries for showrooms, classic potteries, artists, associations, designers, and unique tile experiences.
The photographs of tiles from all over the world are truly stunning. My favorite examples are of tiles placed on the risers of staircases in Europe, creating dramatic and beautiful effects and making me wonder why someone would ever carpet them! Entryways display realistic and whimsical “rugs”; a small cappuccino niche becomes an impressive focal point in a kitchen; and tiles set into door panels are not only physically and but visually inviting.
Herbers writes that tiles are made up of the four elements: fire, water, earth and have "qualities that evoke a sense of humanity."
Tiles attract us with their colors, textures, history, beauty, efficiency, and even temperature. This book will open your eyes not only to existing tiles around you, but to the unlimited places they could be!
Reen Stiley
I have long been an artist in graphic design, needlework, and stained glass. Hand-painted ceramic tiles is my latest endeavor and one I am thoroughly enjoying.
rxmo@tilesrx.com
|
| MORE NEWS: |
World Organization of China Painters: WA 2004 Convention
|
Thoughts on Designing
|
In the Beginning
|
Beginnings
|
|
|
|
