WBW 1/21/2026

I kind of thought this Odyssey (Homer) inspired large ishime-ji wall bowl would be a perfect “way back Wednesday” post. I can’t remember exactly when this was made but likely around 2000 or so. The bowl is stoneware, maybe 20” across with incised decoration with inlaid white against the black-grey engobe. I started making these Homer influenced pieces back in the mid-90s after deciding to re-read THE ODYSSEY (and THE ILIAD) and they were great fun to make if not a bit tricky to inlay the white against the background, also a play on ancient Greek pottery. I am often reminded of the George Santayana's quote; "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”, maybe revisiting and remembering old work isn’t such a bad thing where repeating it brings new perspectives.