Doug Browe, Potter, Ceramic Artist and Sculptor (born1953; died 2023)

My work focuses on history, problem solving, and relationships.

Humankind both anthropomorphizes vessels, to the point of manifesting them with power as if surrogate humans; and employs them as metaphors for humans and manifests them in architectural form, they become a protected sanctuary of containment. It excites me to be part of this connection and help move this timeless conversation forward.

From the dawn of civilization humans have had a relationship with vessels; we have from the beginning, anthropomorphized them, manifesting in them the power and honor of being surrogate humans. In turn we use them to mimic our many archetypes. My intrigue of this relationship between humans and the vessel moves my work.

Currently, I lead the Ceramics and Sculpture Department at Mendocino College in Ukiah CA and have a studio practice making utilitarian ceramics and sculpture in Elk CA. “I am intrigued by the relationship between the vessel, architectural form and the human figure, that place where the human figure finds form in vessels and architecture and architecture and vessels  finds form in figuration. I use these narratives to express a variety of personal and social issues in my work”.