Widely traveled, Karl and Mary Hofmann bring many influences to their pottery -- from the Meissen porcelain and folk pottery that decorated Karl's childhood home in Germany to the wedging and throwing techniques he observed in Japan. The influence of the Southwest landscape (the Hofmanns have lived in Placitas for the last 30 years) is also evident in their work.

The Hoffmanns met while studying at Michigan State University. Karl later continued his studies at Columbia University, then earned an MFA degree in ceramics and sculpture from Ohio State. For her part, Mary received an MA in painting and art history from Michigan. Her work has been exhibited in the National Serigraph Society show.

Recently retired from Sandia Prep, Karl has given workshops and served as a juror and participant in juried shows throughout the country. The Hofmanns’ pottery is collected privately in the US and Europe.

©Karl & Mary Hofmann-All rights reserved

"My work is all hand thrown on a potter’s wheel or created from slabs of clay. I mix the glazes myself from chemical formulas. I like to create glazes with depth which are painterly in their effect. I am interested in the sculptural shapes of my pots and the negative space created around them."