A Piece of Cake

Ceramic, Signed and dated: "(19)97"

6 3/4" Diam. x 4" H

Spinski was a leading figure in the avant-garde ceramics movement of the 1960’s and 70’s. Throughout his career, Spinski experimented with many different materials, forms and techniques, becoming most well-known for his tromp l'oeil clay sculptures, which often incorporated humor.  In a 1983 article in the New York Times, art historian Helen A. Harrison described Spinski's works as being "technically sophisticated and fascinating in their imitation of nonceramic objects, such as metal cans filled with garbage. His "fountains," including an overflowing sink full of dirty dishes and a pile of beer cartons that have sprung a leak, are both cleverly conceived and beautifully realized."  Spinski participated in many historic solo and group exhibitions during his lifetime, including "Clayworks: 20 Americans" and "Coffee, Tea and Other Cups" both held in 1971 at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York City. 

A Painted Plaster Relief Plaque of Three Iguanas

Signed,lower middle

Size: 23” x 23.5” x 4.5” deep

Born and raised near Clifton Park in Northeast Baltimore, Mr. Berge was the son of the acclaimed Baltimore sculptor Edward Berge, who was best known for his studies of children. A graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Mr. Berge studied at the Maryland Institute, College of Art for a year and then studied sculpture for 3 1/2 years at the Rinehart School of Sculpture in Baltimore under J. Maxwell Miller. Mr. Berge opened his first studio in 1929 on West Lanvale Street, where he worked for 25 years until he moved to Merrymount Road in Roland Park. "In his long career, Henry Berge created six sculptures for public spaces in Baltimore. That's a record rarely equaled in the city's history, and a notable contribution to the community." from the Baltimore Sun, December 3, 1998