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Ron Nagle (born February 21, 1939) is an American sculptor, musician and songwriter. Art in America Magazine He is known for small-scale, refined sculptures of great detail and compelling color.
Nagle lives and works in San Francisco, California.
Between 1961 and 1978, Nagle taught ceramics at San Francisco Art Institute, California College of Arts and Crafts, as well as at the University of California Berkeley, where he apprenticed to Peter Voulkos, a core member of the Abstract Expressionist Ceramics. In 1978, Nagle began a professorship at Mills College, where he taught ceramics for over 30 years.
His involvement in West Coast culture—surfing, rock music, hot rod culture—is integral to both his art and music. Nagle owned a 1948 Ford Coupe to which he applied 40 coats of British racing green, sanding between each layer to achieve depth of color.Ruby, Sterling. "Custom Clay." Kaleidoscope. Fall 2011, pp. 44-49. This same fanaticism is evident in the detailed color and texture of his sculptures.
Drawing is fundamental to Nagle's practice, and he considers his work from a two-dimensional, flat point of view. This resonates with his stated interest in painting, where he cites influences such as Giorgio Morandi, Cy Twombly, and Billy Al Bengston.Kelly, Jeff. "Ron Nagle." Art in America. May 1994, pp. 125-126.
His work is associated with the California Clay Movement, and Nagle is often included in exhibitions concerning Abstract Expressionism. Although Nagle has shied away from association with the traditional craft of ceramics, he has noted the influence of his contemporary sculptors working in the medium, such as Kenneth Price, as well as such vernaculars as Japanese Momoyama ceramics and 1940s American restaurant ware. Nagle also looks further, mining uncanny sources such as cartoons, graffiti, food arrangement and fashion for inspiration.Morgan, Susan. "Proenza Schouler + Ron Nagle." W Magazine. December 2014 – January 2015, p. 66, p. 68.
Nagle also worked on the sound effects for The Exorcist (1973). The artist magnified and distorted sounds of jar-trapped bees and shattering windows to create disturbing effects in the horror film.
Thirty of Nagle's ceramics were included in the exhibition "The Encyclopedic Palace," curated by Massimiliano Gioni for the 55th Venice Biennale in 2013.
2008
Joan Danforth Endowed Faculty Chair, Mills College
2006-07
Metz Chair, Mills College
1998
Flintridge Foundation Visual Artist Award
The Best of 1998, Dave Hickey, Artforum
1997
Fellow of the American Craft Council
1996
Joan Danforth Endowed Faculty Chair, Mills College
1990–97
Faculty Research Grant, Mills College
1986
National Endowments for the Arts Fellowship
1984
Faculty Research Grant, Mills College
1983
Mellon Grant
1981
Mellon Grant
1979
Lucie Stern Chair, Mills College
National Endowments for the Arts Fellowship
1978
Adaline Kent Award, San Francisco Art Institute
1974
National Endowments for the Arts Fellowship
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