Luster Vessels Created by
Paul J. Katrich for the 2009
New York Ceramics Fair

January 20-25, 2009

Sold Out on Opening Night!

Thank You New York,
Bruce and Linda

National Academy Museum,
1083 Fifth Avenue (at 89th),
New York City.

Katrich Booth at The New York Ceramics Fair - 2009.

Review of the 2009 NY Ceramics Fair
and Pottery by Paul J. Katrich
in Antiques and the Arts Weekly

Tenth Year for the New York Ceramics Fair
by David S. Smith, Managing Editor

New York City: "Sold Out - Thank You, New York."

Amid trepidations, market woes, reports of cautious buying and the overall chilling news surrounding the US economic climate, one exhibitor at the Caskey-Lees-produced Ceramics Fair was bucking the trends, perhaps feeling as if he was dancing on Broadway. One of a host of dealers to report healthy sales from the fair, contemporary potter Paul Katrich occupied the cat-bird seat moments after the gala preview party opened to the public as he applied red dots to every single pot on display in his booth. The dealer then turned his attentions to creating a "sold out" sign to thank his public and to promote his wares for next year's show...

"Rare," "unique," "superbly crafted" and numerous other superlatives are tossed around at the fair as if they were candy. And often times they are, sweetening the pots, chargers and other wares displayed.

"Debatably, I am the last studio potter," proclaimed Dearborn, Mich., exhibitor Paul Katrich, who specializes in creating unique glazes for his pottery. "People in the antiques trade taught me what I know," commented the dealer. Adding that antiques collectors are his major clients, one such Midwestern collector snapped up every piece available in the booth minutes after preview had opened on Tuesday evening.

Read the entire review of the 2009 Ceramics Fair
at the Antiques and the Arts Weekly website.

Vessels by Paul J. Katrich
Created in Winter, 2009, for
The New York Ceramics Fair

Pottery descriptions are by Paul J. Katrich.

To see a larger photograph,
please click on an image.

Luster Vessel 1298 (7").

"Bold blue-matte luster, Persian bottle form
overlaid with metallic copper and gold. Pleasant
to touch and to behold."

Luster Vessel 1299 (6-1/2").

"Steps of patterned magenta and silken gold
contrast on this rhythmic vase. Metallic
copper interior."

"Inside The World"
Luster Vessel 1300 (11").

"Internal fires of molten lava flow in richest
iridescent oranges and yellows through windows
of bubbling gold and black. The creative heat
of a volcano is bringing forth new land,
repeating the geologic cycle.

"I'm proud of this piece, and regard it as among
my finest works of recent years."

Luster Vessel 1301 (6-3/4").

"Lunar arcs of blues and greens float like
autumn leaves against a deep sky blue.
Chevrons of metallic gold describe their
paths through the air."

Luster Vessel 1302 (7-1/2").

"A staccato dance of burnt lemon squares overlays
a dense, lustrous blue-green. Golden highlights
and a metallic copper interior complete the effort."

Luster Vessel 1303 (7").

"A golden Persian luster bottle, worthy of the
Alhambra. Lapis blue and bright turquoise flow
over exotic applied decorations."

Luster Vessel 1304 (5-1/4").

"Pretty cabinet vase dominated by a silky
iridescent magenta matte and iridescent golden
pink. A river of thick metallic gold traces a
path around the piece."

"Sand Dollars"
Luster Vessel 1305 (10-1/4").

"Wonderful aquatic vase, where a glittering
green-gold matte glaze conveys the convincing
illusion of sea sand. Metallic copper and gold
orbs rest on a shore marked by the receding tides,
like seashells strewn along an ocean beach."

"The Silk Road"
Luster Vessel 1306 (13-1/2").

"An important, large vessel with "all the bells
and whistles." This vase recalls opulent
Oriental silks, and is precious in all its
dimensions. Every conceivable shade and texture
of gold compliment applied medallions and flowing
rivulets of black Japanese lacquer.

"A genuine showstopper, it just might perform
the "Mikado", if prompted."

Luster Vessel 1307 (4").

"Clean, modernist vessel in variable luster blues
with a subtle contrasting pattern. The interior
sports a rich ruby iridescence."

Video with Paul J. Katrich Discussing
Luster Vessel 1307,
which has been available
at The Showplace in Manhattan.

Luster Vessel 1308 (5").

"Delicate orb vase, the color of a tropical sunset
in gradations from scarlet to saffron. The vessel
is encircled with floating lapis blue rings,
counterbalanced by metallic copper chevrons.
The entire piece glows with a warm silken luster."

"Ring Of Fire"
Luster Vessel 1309 (12").

"The flaming coronas of distant suns dance through
deep space. Iridescent mists and golden rings
hang in the ether."

Luster Vessel 1310 (5-3/4").

"Copper glazed vessels are relatively rare in my work,
and seldom are they as well realized as on this lovely
bottle. The rich red of the copper is complimented by
passages of lapis blue and flowing arabesques of
iridescent gold. A personal favorite."

"Gilded Cage"
Luster Vessel 1311 (10-3/4").

"Rich emerald green, lapis blues and silken gold
fall through passages of gold copper.
Vibrant and potent."

Luster Vessel 1312 (6-1/4").

"Golden bottle vase with contrasting droplets
and trails of sparkling aventurine."

"Winter Solstice"
Luster Vessel 1313 (12-1/4").

"The subject of this vessel is a true observation
of the last rays of sunset on the year's
shortest day. Iridescent scarlet hangs in the
sky as night descends in blue-violet and turquoise.
The glaze is a warm satin matte with iridescence
throughout. Golden starbursts bring brightness
through the dark, and begin the new year.

"This work is a personal favorite."

"Through The Looking Glass"
Luster Vessel 1314 (12-1/2").

"Slender, elegant vessel in turquoise, gold and
rich blue. Angular patterns suggest the
distortions of a prism or a vibrating mirror.
Reflections bounce in every direction from
this handsome vase."

Luster Vessel 1315 (6-1/4").

"Marblized, iridescent blue-green vase with
contrasting flows of orange and pink. Bright
ruby-luster interior.

Luster Vessel 1316 (6").

"Like a supernatural harlequin, fiery red diamonds
float on a field of iridescent black with
ultraviolet reflections. Angular falls of
reflective gold overlay the effect.
Stunning yet harmonious."

"Triumph Of The Skies"
Luster Vessel 1317 (18-3/4").

"A monumental and important vessel, among the
very largest that I have made. Hundreds of stars
pass in procession through branches gilded by
their yellow light. The sky is richest midnight
blue and turquoise divided by golden tendrils
reaching upward in exultation."

Descriptions are by Paul J. Katrich.

Original Artist's Statement for the
2009 New York Ceramics Fair

I am delighted and proud to be returning as an exhibitor for the New York Ceramics Fair. This event is the finest of its kind in the United States.

Please visit us at our new location on the Main Show Floor, Booth 8, East Gallery.

We are showing a remarkable new group of pottery. The grouping includes several large and important vessels, which will appeal to the serious collector and investor.

For the convenience of our distant patrons, during the Fair all of the vessels are also exhibited and offered online, posted with photographs, descriptions and prices.

Preference will be given to in-person patrons at the show, and items are subject to prior sale.

Warm regards,
Paul J. Katrich

Katrich Booth at The New York Ceramics Fair - 2009.

National Academy Museum,
1083 Fifth Avenue (at 89th),
New York City.

The New York Ceramics Fair is
"for the collector, connoisseur and
curator of exceptional antique
and contemporary works in ceramics,
enamels and glass.

"This stunning show is vetted by a
jury of professionals prior to its opening.
Therefore you can feel confident to find
the presence of first-class dealers/galleries
from around the world.

"Held at The National Academy Museum and
School of Fine Arts, our exhibitors offer
exquisite examples of decorative art objects
from the earliest Classical periods to the
finest of contemporary Studio Pottery,
porcelain, glass and enamels."

[From the NY Ceramics Fair website.]

A Review of the 2007 Ceramics Fair,
and Luster Pottery by Paul J. Katrich,
Posted at Antiques and the Arts Online,
February 2, 2007, Edition

Colorful And Classical Wares At
The New York Ceramics Fair
By Laura Beach

[Selected quotes - see below for complete article link.]

NEW YORK CITY -- The New York Ceramics Fair, the eight-year-old event that annually harnesses the enthusiasms of a small but focused group of connoisseurs, kicked off New York City's Americana Week with the most zealous opening night crowd in town. Organized by Bill Caskey and Liz Lees of Topanga, Calif., this year's Ceramics Fair saw increased opening night attendance. The total gate for the week was 5,067, up from a year ago but down from 2004. Despite the decline, the bustling show was productive throughout, with curators from most of the country's leading museums making their rounds.

As identified by Chipstone Foundation's Ceramics in America, sponsor of the annual lecture series, ceramics lovers fall into several complementary groups. These camps form the major divisions of the show, which is strongest in English pottery, Chinese export porcelain, and contemporary studio pottery. In an ideal world, many other categories - Pueblo pottery, Portuguese azulejos and Peking snuff bottles, for instance - would also be included.

Among the studio potters, Paul Katrich sold 24 vessels in his signature luster glazes.

Part swap meet and part think tank, the New York Ceramics Fair wrapped up on Sunday, January 21, with collectors bereft of disposable income, perhaps, but richly stimulated by all they saw and heard. Even the loan show provided more food for thought. Essays on Don Carpentier's Stoke-on-Trent dig and on a trove of Spode artifacts that Carpentier acquired from the company in 2006 are planned for an upcoming issue of Ceramics in America.

For information, 310-455-2886 or www.caskeylees.com.

Click here to view the
complete article and weekly issues at the
Antiques and the Arts Online website.

The 2006 New York Ceramics Fair

Luster vessels by Paul J. Katrich
in the Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition,
National Academy Museum, NYC,
January 18-22, 2006.

Paul J. Katrich at his booth,
The New York Ceramics Fair - 2006.

The New York Ceramics Fair is
"for the collector, connoisseur and
curator of exceptional antique
and contemporary works in ceramics,
enamels and glass."

[From the NY Ceramics Fair website.]

A review of this Fair also included
a mention of Paul J. Katrich
in The New York Times:
Review of the 2006 New York Ceramics Fair.

Click here to view
The New York Ceramics Fair website.