Matthew Patton
Surface treatment and form blend in my pieces to the point that I blur the working distinction between clay and glaze. In the past, glazing was almost all that mattered in my pots. While it still dominates in my newer efforts, I am now experimenting with more formal elements. It was always only incidental that my plates were food friendly. I only made them to have a surface to glaze, and I think people bought them as much to look at, as to eat off. The flat clay slabs now lack all reference to food serving surfaces, and I find a new freedom in leaving those functional associations out of my work. Am I now a sculptor and no longer “just” a potter? I’m not totally sure myself, but I know one thing: no one will ask if it’s dishwasher safe anymore.
About Me
Professional Experience:
Studio Potter, 1981 to Present
Private Studio, Seattle, Washington
Education:
University of Washington BFA Program, 1969, 1976
Central Washington State College BFA Program, 1971
Personal:
Born 1951
Married, one daughter. Seattle area resident since 1964
Publications:
Ceramics Monthly, April 1990
Matthew Patton: Interrupted Gesture by Matthew Kangas
Clay Times, November, December 2001
The Gallery, Page 40
Washington, Maryland, and Virginia Home and Design Magazine, Fall 2000
Handmade American Crafts By Shane Lauro
Solo Exhibitions:
The Northwest Craft Center and Gallery, Seattle, Washington 1989, 1992, 1996, and 2005
BonaKeane Decorative Arts, Portland, Oregon, 1996
Fireworks Gallery, Seattle, Washington, 1986, 1987, 1988
Earthenworks Gallery, LaConner, Washington, 1985, 1986, 1987
Group Exhibitions:
Washington Potters’ Association Annual Show
at The Northwest Craft Center and Gallery,
Seattle, Washington, 1988-2005
The Northwest Craft Center and Gallery,
Seattle, Washington 1994, 2001, 2009
Invitational:
American Craft Museum 10th Annual Benefit Auction,
Christie’s East, New York, 1990
Awards & Juried shows:
Pacific Northwest Arts and Crafts Fair, Bellevue, Washington
Juried show 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1990
Prizewinner, 1990
Mercer Island Arts and Crafts Fair, Mercer Island, Washington
Juried show 1984, 1987
Prizewinner, 1987
Edmonds Arts and Crafts Fair, Edmonds, Washington
Juried show 1984, 1987
Prizewinner 1987
South Cobb Art Alliance National Juried Show,
Mabelton, Georgia 2001
Wichita Center for the Arts, The Wichita National,
Wichita, Kansas Permanent collection purchase prize, 2001
Gold Coast Art Centre, Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award,
Surfers Paradise, Australia 2001
Wayne Art Center, Craft Forms 2001 National Crafts Exhibition,
Wayne, PA 2001
Niche Magazine, Niche Awards Finalist, 2002
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, The 14th San Angelo National Ceramics Competition,
San Angelo, Texas 2002
Riverside Community College, Plates 02 National Juried Show, Permanent collection purchase prize
Riverside, California 2002
Market House Craft Center, 10th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National,
Lancaster Designer Craftsmen Award
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 2002
Pittsburg State University,Plain Arts IV International Juried Art Exhibition
Pittsburg, Kansas 2002
University of Tulsa, Red Heat Contemporary Work in Clay
Tulsa, Oklahoma 2002
Contemporary Crafts Gallery, Moving Through Light National Juried Exhibition
Portland, Oregon 2002
Franklin Square Gallery and The Associated Artists of Southport, 23rd Annual July National Exhibition
Southport NC, 2003
Holter Museum of Art, The ANA 32 National,
Helena, Montana 2003
Wichita Center for the Arts, The Wichita National,
Wichita, Kansas 2003
St. Petersburg Clay Company, The St. Petersburg Clay National,
St. Petersburg, Florida 2003
Maude Kerns Art Center Potter to Potter The Club Mud Juried Exhibit,
Eugene, Oregon 2003
Rockport Center for the Arts, Vitrified Clay National,
Rockport, Texas, 2004
Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Contemporary Clay Biennial 2010,
Grand Junction, Colorado 2010
The Meyers Gallery, Containers 2010,
Santa Ana, California, 2010