Ceramics by John Mason

Ceramics by John Mason comprised 19 works, from architectural relief panels to freestanding, obelisk-like structures, each featuring a colossal buildup of hardened clay and weighing up to 1,000 pounds. Mason’s (1927–2019) works are abstract forms created by twisting and overlapping long and short slabs of clay. The process of creating these monumental sculptures was time-consuming, with the molding, drying and glazing process taking up to two months alone. Pasadena Art Museum Director Thomas Leavitt commented on the sculptures: “[They’re] above the ordinary. This is without intention of having resemblance of anything, and relies on pure beauty. These are just objects themselves.”