Episode Details

Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene travel to the American South at the end the 19th C to explore the life and work of George E. Ohr - otherwise known as the Mad Potter of Biloxi. Overlooked for much of his life this eccentric character worked tirelessly creating innovative, wild and exquisitely crafted art pottery. He was a renowned showman using slogans, banners and sales gimmicks to market his wares and was the self proclaimed "world's best art-potter". His life’s work remained undiscovered gathering dust in a garage for decades before an antiques dealer happened upon them in his son's auto shop. Today his legacy is firmly recognised as a founding father of the art pottery movement and there is a museum in his name, designed by Frank Gehry, in his hometown of Biloxi.

Images of artworks and photographs in this episode:

Pitcher, 1889-1910, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET, N.Y.

Vase (Blue/Twist), 1987-1900, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET, N.Y.

Vase (Red), 1895-1910, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET, N.Y.

Vase (pink/purple/pinched), 1897-1910, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET, N.Y.

Photo of George E. Ohr – The Mad Potter of Biloxi (1857-1918)

Photo of George E. Ohr (1857-1918) – outside studio with signage

Photo of George E. Ohr (1857-1918) – studio with “Greatest Potter on Earth” signage

Photo of George E. Ohr (1857-1918) – inside studio with pots

George E. Ohr, The Mad Potter of Biloxi. Harpers Magazine, 1892-1893

Burnt Babies, 1894, George E. Ohr

Burnt Babies, 1894, George E. Ohr

Vase (Red), 1895-96, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET

Tea Pot, 1897-1900, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET

Pitcher (Brown/Gold/Pinched), 1896, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET

Photo of George E. Ohr (1895-1918) - workshop

Bowl (Green/Gold), 1897-1910, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET

Bowl (Pinched Clay), 1898-1910, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET

Vase (Black/Blue), 1900, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET

Vase (Red/Brown), 1890-1905, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET

Pitcher (Green), 1890-1905, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMet

Clockface and Vase (Pink), 1898, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET. (TBC)

Photo of Ohr and O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, Mississippi – architect Frank Gehry.

For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks

Credits:

Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene

Editor: Joe Little

Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction: The Mad Potter of Biloxi
• 00:04:20 Early Life and Civil War Era Biloxi
• 00:07:01 The Misfit: Education and Early Jobs
• 00:10:50 Discovery of Clay: The Duck Finds Water
• 00:12:04 Research Journey and Return to Biloxi
• 00:14:10 Building a Life: Marriage and Early Success
• 00:20:08 World's Fairs and the Great Biloxi Fire
• 00:26:26 The Golden Age: Reinvention and Masterworks
• 00:31:29 The Mad Potter Persona and World's Fair Recognition
• 00:38: