Karl Christiansen

A functional potter, Karl Christiansen was well known for the beauty of his utilitarian wares. His pottery was recognized early on in the 1960s for its outstanding practicality, which relied upon his great skill as a potter to create weighty, yet graceful forms. He gained great popularity within Iowa and the Midwest as the movement towards the creation of functional pottery spread. Christiansen graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota before joining the army. Afterwards he earned an M.A. in Art Education from the University of Minnesota and an M.F.A. from the University of Iowa. He taught at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and helped to develop the ceramics program. His pottery was collected and used by many throughout the Midwest, especially by other artists, who recognized the great clarity and beauty he was able to bring to functional pottery forms.