Panagiotis Harry Voulkos

Place: Bozeman

Born: 1924

Death: 2002

Biography:

Peter Voulkos was an American artist known for his abstract expressionist ceramic sculptures. He is considered one of the pioneers of the California Clay Movement and played a significant role in bridging the gap between crafts and fine art. Born on January 29, 1924, in Bozeman, Montana, Voulkos studied at Montana State College where he earned his B.S. degree in 1951. He later served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1943 to 1946. After completing his military service, Voulkos went on to establish ceramics departments at both the Los Angeles County Art Institute and UC Berkeley. His innovative approach to clay sculpting earned him international recognition and he was often compared to avant-garde poets, writers, and artists like Pablo Picasso. Peter Voulkos passed away on February 16, 2002.