Josh Herman Ceramics

As an exchange student in Japan many years ago, I eschewed intensive language study so that I could focus on appreciating the nation’s food and ceramics. Many happy days were spent on side trips to little villages that specialized in different traditional styles of ceramics. Years later, I was able to take a ceramics class at a prestigious arts college. Despite the sheer joy that came to me when working with clay, I was a resounding flop as a ceramics artist. Most of my pieces broke in the kiln, probably the result of hara-​kiri, or honorable suicide.
So it was with great delight that I recently met Josh Herman, a professional San Diego– based ceramic sculptor whose work has been finding its way into magazines, boutiques and museum gift stores.
In his Little Italy studio, Herman transforms unassuming hunks of clay into stunning sculptures and vessels that are popular with both serious collectors and and the Hollywood set.
Herman, a New York City native who learned his craft in Southern California, identifies with the Mid-​Century Modern aesthetic, but his work channels strong Asian influences. His unique organic sculptural forms are coated in evocative colors and textures with a signature lava-​like glaze he calls «volcanic.» The result is a distinctive body of work that is impressive in its breadth and elegance.
Herman’s work is sold at galleries and Neiman Marcus gift galleries all over the California and beyond. Since the studio is not open for retail operations, refer to the website
for exhibit and contact information.