Karen Karnes was a prominent American ceramist celebrated for her innovative and expressive work in the field of studio pottery, leaving a lasting impact on the contemporary ceramic art scene.

• Born: 1925
• Died: 2016
• Hometown: New York, NY
• Education: Brooklyn College

About Karen Karnes

Karen Karnes was born in New York City. She was raised by European immigrant parents who shared communist beliefs. Karnes was richly influenced by these perspectives and has stated a deep respect for working in small communities. Karen attended Brooklyn College for design and graduated in 1946. She then went to study ceramics in Italy, where she learned how to throw clay. In 1947 she attended a Black Mountain College class in design, taught by Josef Albers. In 1952 she moved to North Carolina and become a potter-in-residence at the college. There she met Merce Cunningham and John Cage.

Karen Karnes Works

Eventually, she and her husband moved to the Gate Hill Community in Stony Point, NY. Gate Hill was an artist commune filled with talents of all kinds. Karnes lived there for 25 years and worked with M.C. Richards to create a flameproof clay product. With the success of this formula, she was able to make oven-top casserole dishes. After leaving Gate Hill Karnes worked from her farm studio until late in her life, experimenting with salt-firing and making contemporary vessels. She passed at the age of 90 in 2016.