Hey Anthony.
Love the note ... it's very telling and as you can imagine, the thought has crossed our minds, too, as to whether collecting on such scale constitutes as collecting or hoarding.
A friend of mind once came over to the archive and asked the same question. My reply: "Quite simply, the difference between a collector and a hoarder is the quality of the collection!"
Of course, that's a tongue-in-cheek response and there is additional factors which differentiate the two, but in keeping it all simple, one point I keep in mind is that the examples added to the collection be pieces to a larger puzzle; that we are collecting with a purpose. Sometimes it may be a mid-century ikebana vessel, or perhaps simply a sculptural work by a potter who is at the top of their craft.
Studio Potter Archive is just that: An Archive; a collection with approximately 5000 pieces contained within its walls. From A to Z -- Arnow to Zacharia, (Edna and Sheryl, respectively) and all those in between.
Our focus is on American studio, although how can one resist a fantastic piece of Hamada or B. Leach, or not take some good time to assemble a collection of Zaalberg, or an occasional Gambone vase or work by Canada's Lilja Murnieksj & John Jursevskis?
The archive has about 600 pieces on display, some crammed and some artfully displayed; outfitting our kitchen or floor planters holding Norfolk pines -- there's always some piece, somewhere.
About that collecting bug? For us, it is never satisfied -- we simply love studio pottery. Whether a trip to a local antique mall, or at the studio sale of potters we simply adore, we're always scouting, considering, and purchasing work that fits our curatorial vision. So keep at it! It's great knowing there's others out there who are passionate about potters' work as we are.
BTW, I did see that Ian Gregory piece this past week you offered up "over there" and trust me, if we had room to include English salt glaze pottery I certainly would! I've been a fan of Sydenham's work for a good while. Please, let me know if you ever find a Sydenham "pipes" vase/form. I'd love to have one!
Best,
Paul
