500 Teapots: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design

500 Series

by Suzanne Tourtillott

Its a bit of everything in this artistic celebration. Some find inspiration in classic Asian designs. Others take a figurative approach. Still more look to the natural world. Browse through a variety of surface treatments, from intricate carved forms to narrative painted patterns.

Genres: Art, Tea, Nonfiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2002

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, enjoyable, amazing creativity of artists.

[aldo zirsov · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75/5

[Sarah Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiration. Some folks got a few too many of their teapots featured though (usually not the pretty ones too)

[RB Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book while substitute teaching Ceramics yesterday and read the whole thing during my prep period. Surprising that it drug me through from beginning to end. It is, after all, a book about teapots. But what I found interesting was the distinct styles that caught my eye. What artistic styles and techniques attracted me.
Additionally, the introduction by Kathy Triplett had some insightful quotes.
"I have been surprised at every turn how the clayworker's ingenuity persists in finding new resolutions that push the envelope even further."
Her comparisons of the teapot to the human body with its parts referred to as the lip, foot, neck, shoulder and belly as well as the metaphor of the body as teapot or vice versa, carrying fluids as its purpose.
And;
"As all clayworkers know, control has to be forsaken at times and the tension between expectation and unpredictability must be embraced." This quote is pretty all-encompassing. You could substitute the title "clayworkers" for any station in life.
Also;
"[The Teapots:] inspire the hands back into the clay, to return to that unpredictable dance between intention and randomness. There will always be room for new ideas." - pretty inspiring stuff regarding teapots.
Some of my favorites are;
"Proud Catch II" by Richard Swanson on page 191. "Nurse (Fetish Series I) by Karen Marie Portaleo on page 257. The really perverse works of Ilona Romule of which there are several. All the works by Robin Campo of which there are several and all have a sort of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach meets Tim Burton random cragginess to them. Paul Dresang's amazing teapot thing coming out of a purse masterpiece on page 287. And my #1 favorite, "She Wore Her Favorite Hat #1" by Patricia Watkins on parge 389. It's a crazy little gem of a picture book to take in overall.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very glad this book exists.

Basically, this is a picture book of many different interpretations of the tea pot, using different ceramics, firing and glazing methods, ranging from useable to High Art, which carries a vague resemblance to something with a belly and a spout. Some are beautiful and some hideous, but all captivating. It was like a nice, laminated trip to the museum, and I was also happy to leave the book behind (or rather return it to the library).

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely a "contemporary" showcase of teapots. Some are very creative and barely resemble anything like a teapot, but much fun to look at. As a traditionalist, I only found about a half dozen styles I really liked.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the 500 series. While I think some of the teapots in this book could have been more provoking, many are quite wonderful and inspiring. It always facinates me to see how many ways we can interpert a single object.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a beautiful book if you love to look at at teapots or if you are collectors!

[Sarah Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some weird teapots in this book

[Andrew Cossaboon · Rating 5 out of 5]

great photos and offers as a great inspiration for my work in clay.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books as they are more of a gallery of work for various 'artists' and show the wide range that can be achieved in just something as simple as a teapot whether it is functional or non-functional. Quite inspiring!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a unique mug or teapot.