Portigal, whose ceramics studio is located in Culver City, often discovers the cast-offs of urban life under grasses and rocks roaming the nearby Baldwin Hills. He is inspired in part by his casual experience of "urban archaeology" and "Improvisation #21200" is part of this series that make reference to natural rocks and found objects in his environment.

"Improvisation #21200" was first included in "Southern California Ceramics: A Regional Survey," at Pasadena City College Gallery in 2001 and again in 2003 with Luis Bermudez in La Jolla.

Portigal often discovers the cast-offs of urban life under grasses and rocks roaming the Baldwin Hills near his studio. He is inspired in part by his casual experience of "urban archaeology.” This example is part of his series that make reference to natural rocks and found objects in his environment.
“The idea of transformation is at the center of all things made of clay. For 20,000 years or so, men and women have used this common earthy material, shaped first by hand and then made permanent by fire or heat, to create an enduring legacy of pottery and sculpture of great beauty, utility, meaning and expressive power. For the past several years I have been exploring this idea and its corollary, alchemy, through my work in sculpture made of clay and other materials.” – Steven Portigal

2005: "California Landscapes," June 3 - August 21, 2005, Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach, California
2003: "Luis Bermudez/Steven Portigal," in Conjunction with NCECA, Galleria Jan, La Jolla, California
2001: "Southern California Ceramics: A Regional Survey," October 9 - November 9, 2001, Pasadena City College Art Gallery, Pasadena, California

Abstract Stoneware sculpture

This object has the following keywords:

• Abstract
• American
• Ceramics
• Clay
• Contemporary
• Los Angeles
• male
• Male
• Sculpture
• Stoneware

• H: 22; W: 14; D: 9 inches Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 in. (55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm)

• Owner Name: Cindy Burg
  Role: donor
  Place: Culver City, California
  Dates: 2000, December 7, 2004
  
  

This object is a member of the following portfolios: