In looking back at almost four decades of a career in ceramics, Jonathan Kaplan has always been focused on the questions arising from the complexities of making ceramic vessels. What is the importance of both the visual and intellectual elements of ceramic object making that inspires critical thinking? How can ceramics transcend the more mundane yet essential qualities of function and use? Can ceramic containers move into a highly developed personal style that flourishes with content? What makes contemporary ceramics interesting, intriguing, and worthy of dialog?

Jonathan Kaplan's ceramic work has never been constrained by convention or bound by any particular method or technique. Moving beyond material and process. Jonathan's approach to ceramic vessel making starts with a design concept. An entire new vocabulary and skill set is necessary when both the material and the method become only part of a much larger picture.

"No matter how the piece is made, the resulting work needs to be impeccably designed. Executed with a commitment ot craftsmanship and attention to detail, the work needs to engage the viewer. Ideas and inspiration derive from many sources. How I choose to execute that idea into a ceramic vessel be it a production of multiples involving plaster tooling and assisted technologies or a limited edition of "one-off" pieces should not be limited by any type of ceramic myopia. Such a paradigm shift embracing design based thinking rather than a process and materials oriented methodology allows me to work without any preconception or bias. Further, it allows me to develop ideas that are not constrained by narrow definitions."

"Architectural elements that exist in our urban fabric tend to direct the evolution of my forms. Pattern and surface treatment are based on geometric elements and their juxtaposition with simple lines or marks. I use bold glazes of my own formulation and often used found objects, industrial hardware, fittings, accessories, and non-ceramic materials to both embellish and present the work in a non-traditional ceramics context. My interest in architecture, industrial design and geometry provides an almost limitless venue for inspiration and content."