Arneson, Robert

Arneson, Robert

(1930–  ) ceramist; born in Benicia, Calif. With a Mills College M.F.A. (1958), he joined the ceramics faculty of the University of California: Davis (1962). A controversial innovator whose intentionally crude sculptural works reflected such modern trends as abstract expressionism, surrealism, pop art, and the funk movement, he helped raise ceramics to an art form through his satirical exploration of themes of sexuality and politics.