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Robert
Cantwell
Ceramic Artist • Industrial Designer
The territory
between form and function is a creative expanse where artist and
designer converge…and this is a landscape in which Robert Cantwell moves
freely.
In the spirit of Erté and Mies van der Rohe, Cantwell combines design
and art in an astonishingly broad range of media and forms. Known
affectionately by both friends and business associates as “Designer
Bob”, Cantwell has applied his considerable talent to projects ranging
from buildings, fabric architecture, movable shelters, tents and
monumental-scale sculptural product displays, to furniture, patio
equipment, appliances, computer products and wine labels. Bob travels
regularly to Europe and the Orient on creative assignment, holds 16 U.S.
patents, and has been recognized with “Design Excellence” and “Best of
Show” awards too numerous to mention.
For the multi-talented and artistically gifted, life is a creative
continuum. In Bob Cantwell’s case the latest phase of creative
expression is to pursue a long-standing passion for ceramics. Over the
past several years Bob has been creating three-dimensional forms –-both
functional pottery and whimsical sculpture—based on shapes, patterns and
textural elements found in nature. These one-of-a-kind pieces may
incorporate tree bark and wood grain pressings…combine wheel-thrown and
slab-formed shapes…and even use collected minerals, herbal material and
forest flora in glaze formulations.
The characteristically primitive, natural appearance of Bob’s ceramic
work is enhanced by his preference for using the unpredictable and
difficult-to-manage Raku style kiln. Raku firing is an ancient process
developed in China and Japan, and adopted in a modified form by American
ceramic artists in the 1960’s. Unlike conventional kiln firing where the
outcome is largely predictable, Raku firing often delivers surprising
results. This fact makes every kiln opening its own adventure. Cantwell
has been invited to display his ceramic art at several Midwestern shows,
and his following of dedicated collectors continues to grow. Bob’s work
is in limited supply.
Cantwell Design Inc.
Robert Cantwell
1304 Bald Hill Road
Leslie, Missouri 63056
Studio Phone 573-484-3216
Cell Phone 573-631-8370