Harrison McIntosh

Harrison McIntosh (September 11, 1914 – January 21, 2016) was a ceramicist whose career spanned across a period of eight decades. McIntosh was recognized for his simple and elegant thrown forms. Having a modern approach to his pottery, McIntosh creates symmetrical yet classic vessel pieces which he often decorated with his recognizable sgraffito and spotting patterns. A member of the first generation of California studio potters, McIntosh’s work helped define the California aesthetic, portraying a modern style using natural materials.

McIntosh studied at the Art Center, Los Angeles (1938) (now Art Center College of Design, Pasadena) before attending the University of Southern California (1940) where he studied under Glen Lukens. He then attended Claremont Graduate School where he studied under Richard Petterson and received his M.F.A. During his studies at Scripps, McIntosh along with fellow potter Rupert Deese, opened a ceramics studio on Foothill Boulevard. 

McIntosh taught at the Los Angeles County Art Institute (1956 – 1959) (now Otis College of Art and Design) where he befriended Peter Voulkos. He later left his teaching position to continue his practice, working in his Claremont, CA, studio. As he progressed, McIntosh gradually transitioned from making vessel forms to form sculptural pieces, maintaining his signature modern aesthetic. McIntosh continued to productively work in his studio until 2002 when his diminishing eyesight prevented him from working, and in 2016 McIntosh died at the age 101.

McIntosh was granted Fellow of The American Craft Council, NY. McIntosh’s work can be found in over 40 museum collections around the world including the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, Renwick Gallery, WA, the Musée Des Arts Décoratifs, the Louvre, Paris, the Kiushu Museum, Japan.