Vase 1894 - 1903

This vase was created by George E. Ohr, and it currently resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The eye is immediately drawn to its vibrant colors and distorted form, a bold defiance of conventional pottery. The bright red glaze, streaked with rivulets of green and blue, evokes a sense of controlled chaos. Ohr’s manipulation of the clay body is particularly striking, creating a series of folds and compressions that challenge our expectations of a functional vase. This distortion isn't merely decorative; it challenges the traditional definitions of beauty and utility in art. Ohr’s approach anticipates later artistic movements that question fixed meanings and values. Notice how the ruffled edge at the top adds to the dynamic, almost unsettling effect, which is characteristic of Ohr's work. This vase is not just an object, but an expression of artistic freedom, inviting us to reconsider our assumptions about form and function.