Stoneware Pitcher c. 1939

Richard Barnett made this ‘Stoneware Pitcher’ sometime between 1855 and 1995. It’s a humble vessel, immortalized in muted browns and greys. The surface is smooth but alive. You can see the hand in the making, the way the artist coaxes the clay to life. I love how the utilitarian object is elevated through its form, the subtle curve of the handle, and the etching of a corn stalk, giving the pitcher an individual identity. A simple motif transformed into something special. It reminds me that art is not just about grand gestures; it’s about finding beauty in the everyday. Barnett, like the British ceramicist Lucie Rie, finds elegance in functionality, revealing the inherent beauty of the medium. It's like Barnett is reminding us that art and life are intertwined, each enriching the other in unexpected ways.