Chosen Path.

This fascinating collection of essays reflects on the life and work of one of the 20th century's leading American ceramic artists. Editor Shapiro selected top gallery owners, artists, and art critics as contributors. This book accompanied a major retrospective exhibition at Arizona State University of nearly 60 years of ceramic artwork by Karen Karnes. Through its thoughtful, intimate, and clear descriptions of the individual phases and turning points in Karnes's life--from her childhood growing up in the Bronx through the seminal time at Black Mountain College to her more recent years in Stony Point, NY, and Vermont, a picture emerges of both the artist and the cultural evolution of ceramics in the last half of the 20th century. Along with important chapters on Karnes and her work, the book includes a foreword by Karnes, a curator's statement, an introduction, an exhibition checklist, and a chronology. This is a pleasurable read and an excellent resource for learning about contemporary American ceramics. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners; general readers. R. Malmgren Anne Arundel Community College