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Sculptor Paul Soldner: Father of American Raku

Paul Soldner began his legacy at the Los Angeles County Art Institute. Through the institute’s innovative program Soldner learned to take risks, something he still does today. By learning to teach his curiosity Soldner ushered in a new era of Contemporary American ceramics. He introduced the art form known as American-style Raku, thereby legitimizing the low-fire form of ceramics.

In addtion to being an artist he was also a teacher. During his career from 1956 to his retirement in 1992 he taught undergraduate and graduate students alike. Students came from as far away as Japan to study under his tutelage. Then there were the thousands that he taught through his workshops and demonstrations. In all his years of teaching it wasn’t only his curriculum that gained him national recogntion, it was his method. Soldner believed in teaching by example. He would often throw, make, pots off center or upside down. In some instances Soldner would take a freshly thrown pot and toss it onto the floor in order to find inspiration. He centered his curriculum on his own experiences and not another person’s theories. His practices were solidifed in his students’ minds by mixing his studio with the everyday classroom.