Michael Simon

Michael John Simon (1947 – 29 August 2021) was an American ceramic artist. He is known primarily for his salt-fired stoneware works combining distinct forms with wax-resist animal or natural motifs.

Early life and education Simon was born in Springfield, Minnesota in 1947.

In 1970, he moved to the pottery community of Happy Valley, Georgia. He would go on to receive his M.F.A. in ceramics from the University of Georgia in 1981.

Career In 1980, Simon built his own salt kiln after seeing the work of ceramic artist Mark Pharis. and became known for their frenzied atmosphere.

On September 27 -28, 2005, Simon was interviewed by ceramic artist Mark Shapiro for the Smithsonian Archives of American Art. He was interviewed again for the archives on February 23, 2018; this time, the interview was conducted by ceramics dealer Leslie Ferrin, and Lyndel King, the director of the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota.

In 2011, the Northern Clay Center hosted a 30-year retrospective of his work, and two years later, the Georgia Museum of Art hosted 'Pick of the Kiln', an exhibition of his work across decades.

Collections Simon had works in numerous museums and collections, including the Everson Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and the Georgia Museum of Art.