When looking at all ceramic work it is always very hard to determine which category it may come under. Depending on what purpose the object will serve will eventually show which category it will come under. For example, if you were to design a vase which true meaning was an art form, it would not have the same purpose as to something you would put flowers in. If you were looking for user practicality and user purpose this would almost certainly come under a design practice because of the problem solving aspects of the ceramic piece.
With the work of Anne Kraus she is within the fine line of craft and art. She uses all craft techniques to create objects that could be seen in the art world. The end products of her work would not look out of place in both an art gallery or a mantelpiece in a person’s home. However her work also holds a design aspect in the way she approaches creating an art form. With every design there is always some kind of creative process to help progress a design into a finished art piece. Her work takes this step and then goes on to show her own personal meaning behind it. Furthermore because of this personal identity within her work it can truly be called an art form. This is seen in her work “Ambition” and “Patience” which from their titles takes reference from life in general and her own personal reflection. Behind every great art piece there is meaning but furthermore there is always going to be an aspect of function. There is always a fine line between each category. Determining which category an object falls into relates to when defining an object when it is no longer an art form.
With almost every object it always has reference to more than one category taking influence from each of them or starting with one leading onto another. Each skill has its purpose but without the use of others you would not get very far.
Anne Kraus started her art career as a painter in New York but it was only later that she decided to take up ceramic and pottery. Using these painting skills is evident throughout her work. Her work is to give the viewer a more intimate, domesticated and tactile relationship of which can be described as “Statements of wisdom”. Described as a contemporary potter her work contains narrative and language. This explains her art design and craft influences using all of them to create her work. Her skill as a painter, her experience with ceramics and the designs she takes to influence the viewer.
