Mystic

Waylande Gregory

ca. 1935–40 · Earthenware · The American Wing

Waylande Gregory’s artistic beginnings were rooted in traditional monumental sculpture. He was one of a number of designers working for the Cowan Pottery, where he created sleek, Art Deco table sculpture. After Cowan closed, he went to the famed Cranbrook Academy, outside of Detroit, where he had a studio and taught. His Cranbrook stay was cut short when the school temporarily closed due to the effects of the Great Depression. Following that, he moved to New Jersey where he set up his own ceramic studio in Metuchen. He became known for his large-scale monumental sculpture. The sleek, highly stylized head of a woman was in keeping with the modernist styles in vogue during the 1930s.

Artist

Waylande Gregory

Date

ca. 1935–40

Medium

Earthenware

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Martin Eidelberg, 2020