I began this exploration with a question as to why "ceramic sculpture" is viewed by so many as a separate art form, not just another media to be selected when appropriate. What I have found is that some of the strongest sculpture in the ceramic media were made by artists who worked accross a wide range of media and chose to work with clay for only a portion of their oeuvre. Names such as Isamu Noguchi and Anthony Caro come easily to mind. Henry Moore produced some work in terra cotta, though I am not sure whether these were intended to be seen or were studies for other works that may not have been produced.

I am not sure where this will lead. It may be a task that never ends. So far, I have been forced to examine specific movements like "California Funk" or more broadly, Minimalism. I have had to deal with the question of whether or not functional works can be considered "Art" (capitalization is supposed to have meaning). At this point in time I have come to several conclusions:

• All good are is possessed of a sense that it is as it should be.
• The very best art is not simple. There are layers that one must uncover to take in the entire work.

One has been a review of the exhibit, Isamu Noguchi and Modern American Ceramics, that I was fortunate enough to see in May, 2004. This review was published in Critical Ceramics.