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{{Infobox artist
{{Infobox artist
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| name = Edith Heath
|bgcolour = #6495ED
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| image =
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|name = Edith Heath
| image_size =
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|image =
|image_size =
| caption =
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| birth_name = Edith Kiertzner
|caption =
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1911|05|24}}
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|birth_name = Edith Kiertzner
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| birth_place = [[Ida Grove, Iowa]]
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|birth_date = {{Birth date|1911|05|24}}
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|2005|12|27|1911|05|24}}
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|birth_place = [[Ida Grove, Iowa]]
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| death_place = [[Tiburon, California]]
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|death_date = {{Death date and age|2005|12|27|1911|05|24}}
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
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|death_place = [[Tiburon, California]]
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
| movement = [[Bauhaus]]
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| awards =
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| field = [[Ceramic art]]
| patrons =
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| training = [[Chicago Teachers College]]
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| field = [[Ceramic art]]
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[[San Francisco Art Institute]]
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| training = [[Chicago Teachers College]] <br>
| movement = [[Bauhaus]]
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[[San Francisco Art Institute]]
| works =
| patrons =
| works =
| influenced by =
| influenced by =
| influenced =
| influenced =
| footnotes =
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| awards =
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}}


'''Edith Kiertzner Heath''' (May 24, 1911<ref name=klausner>{{cite book|last=Klausner|first=Amos|title=Heath Ceramics, The Complexity of Simplicity|year=2006|publisher=Chronicle Books, LLC|location=San Francisco|isbn=0-8118-5560-0|pages=20}}</ref> &ndash; December 27, 2005) was an American [[studio potter]] "but soon became involved in the design and production of [[pottery]] and [[tableware]] on a far larger scale than that of most studio potters."<ref name=bray>{{cite book|last=Bray|first=Hazel V.|title=The Potter's Art in California 1885-1955|year=1980|publisher=The Oakland Museum Art Department|location=Oakland, CA|isbn=0-295-96200-3|pages=62}}</ref> In 1948, Edith founded [[Heath Ceramics]]. The company, well known for its [[mid-century modern]] [[Ceramic art|ceramic]] [[tableware]], including "Heathware," and architectural tiles, is still operating in [[Sausalito, California|Sausalito]], in [[Marin County]] of the [[San Francisco Bay Area]], [[California]], [[United States]].<ref>{{cite news
'''Edith Kiertzner Heath''' (May 24, 1911<ref name="klausner">{{cite book|last=Klausner|first=Amos|title=Heath Ceramics, The Complexity of Simplicity|year=2006|publisher=Chronicle Books, LLC|location=San Francisco|isbn=0-8118-5560-0|pages=20}}</ref> &ndash; December 27, 2005) was an American [[studio potter]] and founder of [[Heath Ceramics]]. The company, well known for its [[mid-century modern]] [[Ceramic art|ceramic]] [[tableware]], including "Heathware," and architectural tiles, is still operating in [[Sausalito, California]] after being founded in 1948.<ref>{{cite news
| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/01/01/BAGDCGG18T1.DTL
| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/01/01/BAGDCGG18T1.DTL
| title=Edith Heath -- renowned ceramicist
| title=Edith Heath -- renowned ceramicist
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==Life and work==
==Life and work==


Edith Kierzner was born May 24, 1911, in [[Ida Grove, Iowa]], forty miles east of [[Sioux City, Iowa]], to [[Danish people|Danish]] immigrants Nils and Karoline Kierzner. In 1931, Edith enrolled at the Chicago Normal School, later renamed [[Chicago Teachers College]], and graduated in 1934. She enrolled part-time at the [[School of the Art Institute of Chicago|Art Institute of Chicago]] after graduation taking her first [[ceramic]] course. In 1938, Edith married Brian Heath. Relocating to San Francisco, Edith accepted a position as an art teacher at the Presidio Hill School and audited classes at the [[California School of Fine Arts]]. She developed a clay body in these classes which she adapted many times for her production work. Not being able to have as much access to the pottery equipment, Edith pursued her ceramic interests on her own converting a [[Sewing machine|treadle sewing machine]] into a pottery wheel. In 1943, she studied [[eutectics]] with Willard Kahn through the [[University of California]] extension courses.<ref name=bray />
Kierzner was born on May 24, 1911, in [[Ida Grove, Iowa]], forty miles east of [[Sioux City, Iowa]], to [[Danish people|Danish]] immigrants Nils and Karoline Kierzner. In 1931, Kierzner enrolled at the Chicago Normal School, later renamed [[Chicago Teachers College]], and graduated in 1934. She enrolled part-time at the [[School of the Art Institute of Chicago|Art Institute of Chicago]] after graduation taking her first [[ceramic]] course. In 1938, Edith married Brian Heath. Relocating to San Francisco, Edith accepted a position as an art teacher at the Presidio Hill School and audited classes at the [[California School of Fine Arts]]. She developed a clay body in these classes which she adapted many times for her production work. Not being able to have as much access to the pottery equipment, Edith pursued her ceramic interests on her own converting a [[Sewing machine|treadle sewing machine]] into a pottery wheel. In 1943, she studied [[eutectics]] with Willard Kahn through the [[University of California]] extension courses.<ref name="bray">{{cite book|title=The Potter's Art in California 1885-1955|last=Bray|first=Hazel V.|publisher=The Oakland Museum Art Department|year=1980|isbn=0-295-96200-3|location=Oakland, CA|pages=62}}</ref>
[[File:Heath ceramics covered jar.jpg|thumb|Edith Heath ceramic canister.]]
"Form also played an important role in Edith's work. Beyond her obvious attraction to the science of her craft was her search for useful shapes that appealed to her modern sensibilities. Her pottery was a balance of hand-built and hand-thrown work...The pieces tended towards simplicity, a characteristic that followed Edith and her work throughout her career." <ref name=klausner />


In 1944, her first major show was at the [[California Palace of the Legion of Honor]]. She also participated in the Syracuse Ceramic Nationals 11(1946) to 15(1950).<ref name=evans>{{cite book|last=Evans|first=Paul|title=Art Pottery of the United States : An Encyclopedia of Producers and Their Marks, Together With a Directory of Studio Potters Working in the United States Through 1960|year=1990|publisher=Feingold & Lewis Pub. Corp.|location=New York|isbn=0-9619577-0-0|pages=420}}</ref>
In 1944, her first major show was at the [[California Palace of the Legion of Honor]]. She also participated in the Syracuse Ceramic Nationals.<ref name="evans">{{cite book|last=Evans|first=Paul|title=Art Pottery of the United States : An Encyclopedia of Producers and Their Marks, Together With a Directory of Studio Potters Working in the United States Through 1960|year=1990|publisher=Feingold & Lewis Pub. Corp.|location=New York|isbn=0-9619577-0-0|pages=420}}</ref>


A buyer from San Francisco retailer [[Gump's|Gumps]] approached Edith to supply their store with her high quality hand-thrown pottery using the company's pottery studio. She accepted the opportunity, while continuing to work in her own studio. "She became convinced of the opportunities that studio potters had if they would undertake production work to fill the wartime import void."<ref name=bray /> In 1947, Edith began to design and execute a limited hand-thrown production of her pottery and tableware with four apprentices in her own studio. The Heath's purchased land in an industrial area of Sausalito where Edith worked with architects Robert Marquis and Claude Stoller to design her ideal factory space.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://exhibits.ced.berkeley.edu/items/show/1322|title=Proposed Heath Ceramics factory · Environmental Design Archives Exhibitions|website=exhibits.ced.berkeley.edu|language=en-US|access-date=2017-06-30}}</ref> Major retailers began to order Edith's tableware, and in 1948 she opened Heath Ceramics in [[Sausalito, California]]. By 1949, Heath ceramics was producing 100,000 pieces of ware a year.<ref name=klausner />
A buyer from San Francisco retailer [[Gump's|Gumps]] approached Edith to supply their store with her high quality hand-thrown pottery using the company's pottery studio. She accepted the opportunity, while continuing to work in her own studio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://exhibits.ced.berkeley.edu/items/show/1322|title=Proposed Heath Ceramics factory · Environmental Design Archives Exhibitions|website=exhibits.ced.berkeley.edu|language=en-US|access-date=2017-06-30}}</ref> Major retailers began to order tableware, and in 1948, she opened Heath Ceramics in [[Sausalito, California]]. By 1949, Heath was producing 100,000 pieces a year.<ref name="klausner" />


Heath Ceramics was purchased by Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heathceramics.com/aboutheath.php |title=HeathCeramics.com: About Heath |accessdate=2006-09-14 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827082404/http://www.heathceramics.com/aboutheath.php |archivedate=2006-08-27 |df= }}</ref> Edith Heath died on December 27, 2005 at her home in [[Tiburon, California]].
Heath Ceramics was purchased by Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heathceramics.com/aboutheath.php |title=HeathCeramics.com: About Heath |accessdate=2006-09-14 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827082404/http://www.heathceramics.com/aboutheath.php |archivedate=2006-08-27 |df= }}</ref> Edith Heath died on December 27, 2005 at her home in [[Tiburon, California]].
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| date=2004-02-01
| date=2004-02-01
| author=Zahid Sardar
| author=Zahid Sardar
| accessdate=2006-09-14}}</ref>
| accessdate=2006-09-14}}</ref>[[File:Heath ceramics covered jar.jpg|thumb|Edith Heath ceramic canister.]]

===Architectural tile===
===Architectural tile===
[[File:Norton Simon museum-3.jpg|thumb|Exterior of Norton Simon Museum highlighting Heath's tile used on the building.]]
[[File:Norton Simon museum-3.jpg|thumb|Exterior of Norton Simon Museum highlighting Heath's tile used on the building.]]
The Pasadena Art Museum, now the [[Norton Simon Museum]], in [[Pasadena, California]] and designed by Pasadena architects Thornton Ladd and John Kelsey of the firm 'Ladd + Kelsey' used the architectural tiles. The distinctive and modern curvilinear exterior facade is faced in 115,000 glazed tiles, in varying rich brown tones with an undulating surface, made by Edith Heath.<ref>{{cite book | last = Chang | first = Jade | title = Art/Shop/Eat Los Angeles
The Pasadena Art Museum, now the [[Norton Simon Museum]], in [[Pasadena, California]] and designed by Pasadena architects Thornton Ladd and John Kelsey of the firm 'Ladd + Kelsey' used the architectural tiles. The distinctive and modern curvilinear exterior facade is faced in 115,000 glazed tiles, in varying brown tones with an undulating surface, made by Edith Heath.<ref>{{cite book | last = Chang | first = Jade | title = Art/Shop/Eat Los Angeles
| publisher = Somerset Books | year = 2005 | pages = 90–98 | isbn = 1-905131-06-2 }}</ref> They are part of the backdrop many see when viewing the New Year's [[Rose Parade]] on television.
| publisher = Somerset Books | year = 2005 | pages = 90–98 | isbn = 1-905131-06-2 }}</ref> They are part of the backdrop many see when viewing the New Year's [[Rose Parade]].


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 06:10, 17 January 2019

Edith Heath
Born
Edith Kiertzner

(1911-05-24)May 24, 1911
Ida Grove, Iowa
DiedDecember 27, 2005(2005-12-27) (aged 94)
Tiburon, California
NationalityAmerican
EducationChicago Teachers College
San Francisco Art Institute
Known forCeramic art
MovementBauhaus

Edith Kiertzner Heath (May 24, 1911[1] – December 27, 2005) was an American studio potter and founder of Heath Ceramics. The company, well known for its mid-century modern ceramic tableware, including "Heathware," and architectural tiles, is still operating in Sausalito, California after being founded in 1948.[2]

Life and work

Kierzner was born on May 24, 1911, in Ida Grove, Iowa, forty miles east of Sioux City, Iowa, to Danish immigrants Nils and Karoline Kierzner. In 1931, Kierzner enrolled at the Chicago Normal School, later renamed Chicago Teachers College, and graduated in 1934. She enrolled part-time at the Art Institute of Chicago after graduation taking her first ceramic course. In 1938, Edith married Brian Heath. Relocating to San Francisco, Edith accepted a position as an art teacher at the Presidio Hill School and audited classes at the California School of Fine Arts. She developed a clay body in these classes which she adapted many times for her production work. Not being able to have as much access to the pottery equipment, Edith pursued her ceramic interests on her own converting a treadle sewing machine into a pottery wheel. In 1943, she studied eutectics with Willard Kahn through the University of California extension courses.[3]

In 1944, her first major show was at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. She also participated in the Syracuse Ceramic Nationals.[4]

A buyer from San Francisco retailer Gumps approached Edith to supply their store with her high quality hand-thrown pottery using the company's pottery studio. She accepted the opportunity, while continuing to work in her own studio.[5] Major retailers began to order tableware, and in 1948, she opened Heath Ceramics in Sausalito, California. By 1949, Heath was producing 100,000 pieces a year.[1]

Heath Ceramics was purchased by Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey in 2003.[6] Edith Heath died on December 27, 2005 at her home in Tiburon, California.

Tableware

Edith Heath's "Coupe" line remains in demand and has been in constant production since 1948, with periodic changes to the texture and color of the glazes. Other Heath pottery lines include "Rim," designed in 1960, and "Plaza," designed in the 1980s.[7]

Edith Heath ceramic canister.

Architectural tile

Exterior of Norton Simon Museum highlighting Heath's tile used on the building.

The Pasadena Art Museum, now the Norton Simon Museum, in Pasadena, California and designed by Pasadena architects Thornton Ladd and John Kelsey of the firm 'Ladd + Kelsey' used the architectural tiles. The distinctive and modern curvilinear exterior facade is faced in 115,000 glazed tiles, in varying brown tones with an undulating surface, made by Edith Heath.[8] They are part of the backdrop many see when viewing the New Year's Rose Parade.

References

  1. ^ a b Klausner, Amos (2006). Heath Ceramics, The Complexity of Simplicity. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, LLC. p. 20. ISBN 0-8118-5560-0.
  2. ^ Marsha Ginsburg (2006-01-01). "Edith Heath -- renowned ceramicist". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2006-09-14.
  3. ^ Bray, Hazel V. (1980). The Potter's Art in California 1885-1955. Oakland, CA: The Oakland Museum Art Department. p. 62. ISBN 0-295-96200-3.
  4. ^ Evans, Paul (1990). Art Pottery of the United States : An Encyclopedia of Producers and Their Marks, Together With a Directory of Studio Potters Working in the United States Through 1960. New York: Feingold & Lewis Pub. Corp. p. 420. ISBN 0-9619577-0-0.
  5. ^ "Proposed Heath Ceramics factory · Environmental Design Archives Exhibitions". exhibits.ced.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  6. ^ "HeathCeramics.com: About Heath". Archived from the original on 2006-08-27. Retrieved 2006-09-14. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Zahid Sardar (2004-02-01). "Home Is Where the Heath Is: A Bay Area pottery tradition continues under new ownership". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2006-09-14.
  8. ^ Chang, Jade (2005). Art/Shop/Eat Los Angeles. Somerset Books. pp. 90–98. ISBN 1-905131-06-2.

Further reading

  • Klausner, Amos. Heath Ceramics, The Complexity of Simplicity. Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco (2006) ISBN 0-8118-5560-0
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