Edith Heath: Philosophies
The Kalon Library Vol. 06
From our studio shelves — volumes that trace the ideas, influences, and cultural undercurrents behind our work.
A largely self-taught studio potter and the founder of Heath Ceramics, Edith Heath revolutionized domestic ceramics, transforming the art form from stuffy tea sets to versatile, modern dinnerware. Deeply human and egalitarian in her approach to design, Heath created radically simple, durable pieces for “the American way of life.” A lifelong commitment to social issues, science and the environment informed her practice.
Edith Heath: Philosophies is a comprehensive and richly documented survey of Heath’s work. From her material explorations with native Californian clays to the development of her ceramic tiles which became integral parts of architecture installations across the United States. It is also a close look at Heath’s pioneering implementation of sustainable business practices long before the term sustainable entered our lexicon — practices that have allowed Heath Ceramics to thrive for nearly 75 years.
“There is a reason why Edith Heath’s work continues to resonate in the ceramics field and in the consumer market: it was born out of a determination to create products that reflect and maintain certain inherent values.”
“Edith Heath was a pioneer of postwar design and craft, an alchemist of color and glaze, and a philosopher of modern attitudes and aspirations.”
“Heath’s low slung-handle seemed uninterested in being seated on a saucer, and instead asked to be cradled in the hand or lap, again habits of increased informality far from the stiff etiquette of removing one’s hands from the table between sips. The gestural loop was for independence, for venturing onto the deck or patio unaccompanied by a saucer.”
“Her goal with Heath Ceramics was to create something that spoke to “the American way of life” — not just practical objects “for everyday use” but also emotionally charged objects that would embody the casual postwar California ethos. It is the latter, more elusive qualities of Heath’s work that drove my curiosity for this project and also had me delving into my own past to consider why and how a humble dinner plate can engender a deeper understanding of the intersections between material culture and society.”
We hope you’ll consider supporting local, independent bookstores and publishing houses. You can purchase Edith Heath: Philosophies directly from Heath Ceramics, supporting Edith Heath’s legacy and the company she founded.
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