Infinite Place

The present publication is an essential part of the narrative of Wayne Higby’s retrospective exhibition – focusing on the concept of the artist scholar – at ASU Art Museum, in Spring 2013. It documents his ceramic work with over 150 images of 50 seminal works and gives context to the story behind the artwork. Wayne Higby’s international reputation both as an artist, a scholar and teacher will be explored in the contributions to this book that includes a detailed chronology of Higby’s life and career as well as highlights and excerpts from his well known writings on ceramic art. Essays on the American Landscape and American landscape art as the inspiration behind Higby’s work as well as his important, influential explorations into contemporary vessel aesthetics are included along with an essay that chronicles his central role in the development of contemporary Chinese ceramic art. Additionally, Higby’s recent, dramatic, late career move to large architectural installations is explored in detail. Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Wayne Higby received a B.F.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder, in 1966, and an M.F.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1968. Since 1973, he has been on the faculty of the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY. Wayne Higby is recognised as one of the most important and influential ceramic artists of the late 20th, early 21st, century. In particular, his work is celebrated for its innovative use of the language of landscape. Contents: Helen Williams Drutt – Foreword; Peter Held – Overview/Statement; Henry Saye – The American Landscape; Tanya Harrod – The Vessel in Contemporary Art; Ezra Shales –The Artistic Scholar; Mary McInnes – Architectural Work; Carla Coch – China Journal; Appendix; Chronology; Biography; Works in Public Collections; Bibliography; Artist Statements; Artist’s Acknowledgements.