| Adrian Saxe | ||
| Birth Date: February 3, 1943 |
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Artist Gallery |
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| On February 3, 1943, Adrian Anthony Saxe was born to Adrian and Dorothy Saxe in Glendale, California, a suburb of sprawling Los Angles. Called Tony as a child, Saxe was exposed to popular and commercial art by his mother, who worked as a cel colorist for the Walt Disney Studio in Burbank. His father, a licensed embalmer, worked on and off as the foreman at Forest Lawn Mortuary. The senior Saxe was also interested in photography and would later support his family with this skill. Both mother and father taught their son craft techniques and respect for artistic, handmade objects.
In addition to reading “Mad” magazine, running his paper route, and collecting interesting rock formations, Saxe experimented with the earthenware clay he found in his backyard. His early artistic endeavors earned him a scholarship to the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles in the summer of 1957. He attended Chouinard Art School from 1965 to 1969 with Ralph Bacerra. In 1969, when financial difficulties forced him to leave school, Saxe supported himself by producing porcelain mugs as well as pottery that explored various historical genres and materials.
In 1973 Saxe began teaching full-time at UCLA, where he is now the head of the ceramics program.
Always aware of trends within both the ceramics world and the larger art world, Saxe is a willing participant in the crafting of works with visual and verbal puns. He is inspired by an array of sources; from 18th century European porcelains to kitsch from flea markets. He blends all of his inspirations together along with a touch of whimsy.
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