George Lowe

Iowa potter George Lowe instills his work with a presence that is calm and simple, alive with purpose. “I have been called to be a potter for my life’s work,” he states. “I can’t imagine being truly satisfied doing anything else.”

George holds a BA in art from Luther College and an MFA in ceramics from Wichita State University. He was an instructor and lecturer at schools and workshops around the country before establishing his Decorah, IA studio in 1999. He is married to basket maker Martha Monson Lowe, whose work is also available at The Grand Hand.

"Within the realm of handmade pottery, it becomes possible to speak of sacred things. The energy of process and shaping of clay into form can create a vessel full of spirit and metaphor. Spirit brings life and soul into the work. It is this quest to find deeper meaning that inspires me to spin the clay into useful shapes that can bring simple pleasure into the world. I practice over and over the dance with the clay becoming vessel. I enjoy the physical nature of wet clay and the transformation into a vitrified object. After 34 years as a potter, I am still excited about the potential in making the next piece and cannot resist peeking into a hot kiln load of fresh work.

I work alone in my studio and produce all of the work myself. I want my work to be relevant, connect to the past but still current. I am inspired by ancient pottery styles and folk pottery traditions. I love to create shapes that are intended to be used and handled. I want the work to be inviting and tactile. I try to create glaze effects that have a wide variety of subtle variation and textures to create interest and detail. Handled forms and lidded forms encourage interaction. Pouring vessels suggest a gesture of giving and the action of serving. Lidded forms invite one to look inside. Bowls, cups and plates, enhance the meal which sustains life.

The world needs art. I am happy to be a part of this wondrous activity as a potter. If I can add some pleasure to the world transmitted through my hands into a meaningful object then I have been successful." - George Lowe

SOURCE - https://iowaartisansgallery.com/pages/george-lowe (Oct 2025) & https://abelcontemporary.com/artist/george-lowe (Oct 2025)