Frimkess, Michael, 1937-

Michael Frimkess, ceramist; Venice, Calif. b. 1937. Magdalena Frimkess, ceramist; Venice, Calif. Paul J. Karlstrom, director West Coast Resource Center, Archives of American Art, San Marino, Calif.

Michael Frimkess was a leading innovator of the California fine art clay movement that grew up around Peter Voulkos and his "pot shop" at the Otis Art Institute. An element that distinguished the vessels that made Michael Frimkess<U+2019>s reputation was the surface decoration based on popular culture and a Pop Art sensibility. This signature style, consisting of small figures mimicking classical or pre-Columbian friezes, was further developed by Frimkess<U+2019>s wife Magdalena (Suarez Frimkess) who eventually, as Michael<U+2019>s multiple sclerosis progressed, did most of the painting of the vessels.

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