5 Questions for Heath's Adam Silverman
A studio director brings out-of-the-ordinary dinnerware and home accessories to Heath Ceramics' showrooms. See where he goes for inspiration
Adam Silverman's first love was always ceramics — but it took him a while to commit. While ceramics was his first major at the Rhode Island School of Design, he quickly switched to architecture after a short semester due to nagging fears that he wouldn't be able to support himself through pottery. But Silverman still took ceramics classes for fun, and the voice in his head telling him to pursue pottery never quite shut up.
After some major life changes — including a move to Los Angeles — Silverman reevaluated his career in architecture and did a summer program in ceramics to figure out once and for all if he could be a full-time potter. "At the end of the summer, I made the decision to go for it," says Silverman. "It's been the best 10 years of my life."
Now the Los Angeles studio director of Heath Ceramics, Silverman took time away from setting up the studio's latest exhibit to talk about his love of pottery and Heath's newest show, and to share some of his stunning personal work.
After some major life changes — including a move to Los Angeles — Silverman reevaluated his career in architecture and did a summer program in ceramics to figure out once and for all if he could be a full-time potter. "At the end of the summer, I made the decision to go for it," says Silverman. "It's been the best 10 years of my life."
Now the Los Angeles studio director of Heath Ceramics, Silverman took time away from setting up the studio's latest exhibit to talk about his love of pottery and Heath's newest show, and to share some of his stunning personal work.
1. What was the first piece you ever made?
I don't remember the first piece I ever made — it was when I was in junior high school at camp. But I do still have the first piece I made in glassblowing at camp. It looks — sadly? — very much like some of the pots I make now, 35 years later.
2. Which professionals in your industry do you admire most?
Living people: Hussein Chalayan, Piet Oudolf, Glenn Murcutt and a lot more. The list of the dead is even longer: Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, Merce Cunningham, Peter Voulkos, Louise Bourgeoiis, Louise Nevelson, Rudolf Schindler, Frances Bacon, Alice Neel ... the list goes on and on.
I don't remember the first piece I ever made — it was when I was in junior high school at camp. But I do still have the first piece I made in glassblowing at camp. It looks — sadly? — very much like some of the pots I make now, 35 years later.
2. Which professionals in your industry do you admire most?
Living people: Hussein Chalayan, Piet Oudolf, Glenn Murcutt and a lot more. The list of the dead is even longer: Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, Merce Cunningham, Peter Voulkos, Louise Bourgeoiis, Louise Nevelson, Rudolf Schindler, Frances Bacon, Alice Neel ... the list goes on and on.
3. The most important thing on your work desk is ...
Pencil and paper.
4. Where do you go for inspiration?
Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The beach in Rhode Island. To bed.
5. What's your favorite piece of furniture or accessory in your home?
My desk, which is the best desk ever designed. It's a mid-'50s George Nelson.
Pencil and paper.
4. Where do you go for inspiration?
Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The beach in Rhode Island. To bed.
5. What's your favorite piece of furniture or accessory in your home?
My desk, which is the best desk ever designed. It's a mid-'50s George Nelson.
After becoming the Los Angeles director for Heath, Silverman put together collaborative art shows there. The studio now puts on four shows a year, highlighting artists that are found in a variety of ways. Sometimes the work has a look that's similar to Heath — but often it doesn't. "It's like the work shares the same DNA," says Silverman. "If you like it, you'll probably like Heath."
One of the Los Angeles studio's first shows was with Japanese potter Akio Nukaga, who will also be showcased at the new San Francisco showroom in July 2012. Silverman first encountered Nukaga's work on a 2006 trip to Japan and was immediately struck by the rare combination of raw material and refined technique — as seen in this teapot.
See more information on "Very New Work" by Akio Nukaga at Heath Ceramics
Portrait: Katrina Dickson; pottery photos: Roger Lee; teapot photo: Akio Nukaga
See more information on "Very New Work" by Akio Nukaga at Heath Ceramics
Portrait: Katrina Dickson; pottery photos: Roger Lee; teapot photo: Akio Nukaga
Today, Silverman curates exhibits and collections for the showroom, and continues to create his own pieces for his line, Atwater Pottery.
Some of his personal work is highlighted here.