Robert Fornell is an American Ceramic Artist based in Seattle. Rob grew up in Minnesota where, under the influences of many of the local makers, the local pottery had a distinctly Japanese folk pottery or Mingei influence. At school Rob began making Japanese inspired functional pots which, some years later, gradually transitioned into purely sculptural forms until his first trip to Japan in 1987.
Whilst living in Japan between the years of 1988 to 1996, Rob realised how deeply ceramics were embedded in the Japanese culture, and was drawn especially to Oribe, Shino, and Shigaraki/Iga ware. Rob looks to find and use materials in a raw state in the hope of enabling the clay and fire to find their voice. His ultimate goal is to allow the various aspects of a pieces' personality to emerge over time with use via the interaction between pot and participant.
He has exhibited his work extensively in places including Seattle, New York City, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Kanzawa, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Tokyo.
Education
BFA Summa cum Laude, University of Minnesota
MFA University of Washington
