Robert A. Crook
Encyclopedia
Robert Asa Crook is an American folk artist working in ceramic
. Born in Palo Alto, California
, Crook received his Bachelor of Arts
at UCLA (in 1987) and his Juris Doctorate from University of California, Hastings College of Law (in 1991). While practicing as a litigator, Crook taught himself ceramics and gained a following for his unusual work. In 2009 he was admitted into the Pasadena Society of Artists
.
Crook makes face jugs and is not the only ceramic artist working consistently in the art form on the West Coast
. There is at least one other potter that produces face jugs on the West Coast. However, Robert was introduced to the art form by a grandfather from Texas
. Crook’s jugs almost exclusively depict demonic and contorted faces. Crook also sculpts fanciful creatures with the same demonic qualities as his jugs. These sculptures often refer to attorneys
, judge
s, or the legal profession to which Crook belongs.
Ceramic
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
. Born in Palo Alto, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Crook received his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
at UCLA (in 1987) and his Juris Doctorate from University of California, Hastings College of Law (in 1991). While practicing as a litigator, Crook taught himself ceramics and gained a following for his unusual work. In 2009 he was admitted into the Pasadena Society of Artists
Pasadena Society of Artists
The Pasadena Society of Artists, founded in 1925, is one of the longest-running, nonprofit arts organizations in the state of California, USA.-Overview:...
.
Crook makes face jugs and is not the only ceramic artist working consistently in the art form on the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
. There is at least one other potter that produces face jugs on the West Coast. However, Robert was introduced to the art form by a grandfather from Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Crook’s jugs almost exclusively depict demonic and contorted faces. Crook also sculpts fanciful creatures with the same demonic qualities as his jugs. These sculptures often refer to attorneys
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
s, or the legal profession to which Crook belongs.