Frederick Olsen
Fred Olsen has been a ceramic artist for over 58 years making both thrown functional pottery forms and sculptural ceramics. He has specialised in wood firing, using the natural build up of fly ash falling and melting on the clay and glaze to give rich and vibrant surfaces - flames and ash leaving their distinctive flashes and colors.
"Fifty four years ago, in 1961, I began a journey that would set the course for the rest of my life. I left the University of Southern California (USC), where I was working on my Master of Fine Arts degree under F. Carlton Ball and Susan Peterson, following my undergraduate studies at Redlands University. I headed for Japan where I would become the first Westener at the Kyoto City College of Fine Arts (Bidai) Ceramic Department.
I began my studies under National Treasure Ceramist, Tomimoto Kenkichi, studio potter and President of the Bidai, and lived and worked in Tomimoto's Senniju studio and at the Bidai ceramic department for three years.
"Westener people just can't throw and shouldn't bother to come to Japan." The next day Tomimoto directed Professor Kondo Yuzo (later to become a National Treasure Ceramist himself) to oversee my throwing and general craftmanship.
My three year apprenticeship had begun.”
For a generation, Olsen has inspired countless aspiring clay artists with his inherent communication skills, easy charm, playfulness, laid-back humour and rigorous self discipline. Fred Olsen is truly a potter of distinction and his life’s journey has been one of adventure and good fortune.
- Dick Aitken
Canberra based potter and freelance writer.
