Bowl 1999

Jeffrey Oestreich created this untitled bowl at an unknown date, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The initial visual experience of the bowl involves an interplay of angular facets, a deliberate construction that disrupts the fluidity one might expect from a ceramic object. Its muted palette of earth tones and green invites a contemplative mood. The bowl's design reflects an engagement with both functional pottery and abstract aesthetics, where the structure itself becomes a form of expression. The white glaze cascades down the sides like frozen drips. It contrasts sharply with the matte surfaces, creating a dynamic tension between the controlled geometry of the bowl's shape and the unpredictable nature of the glazing process. This tension highlights a dialogue between the artist's intention and the inherent properties of the materials. The bowl resists easy categorization, sitting at the intersection of craft and art, utility and contemplation, challenging our assumptions about the roles these objects play in our lives.