Mrs. Robert Fillous (1912-1997) was born in Cleveland. She attended the Cleveland Institute of Art and studied design, ceramics and pottery. Her work has been shown at the Cleveland May Shows, the Butler Institute of Art, the Syracuse Museum of Art, 19th Ceramic National, the Massillon Museum of Art, the Chagrin Artists Association, and the Women’s Cleveland Civic Club. Her work is part of the collection of the Butler Institute.
Important artist, Viktor Schrekengost was her private ceramic tutor in the 1950's, per the Cleveland Museum of Art.
11 inches in diameter
Excellent condition.
Matte glaze with muted colors of brown/black, beige, and light blue/green.
Abstract design.
Signed FILLOUS in capital letters on bottom.
SEE BLOG POST TITLED: FILLOUS Art Pottery Bowl – Could the artist be a student of Viktor Schreckengost? (this will take you through my research journey to identify this piece)
FILLOUS ART TRAINING:
Special student in design and ceramics at the Cleveland School of Art
Private studies in Pottery with important artist, Viktor Schreckengost
Teacher, Independent Artist – Macrame
PAST EXHIBITIONS:
Butler Institute of Art, Youngstown, Ohio
Cleveland Museum of Art May Shows, 1956
Annual Shaker Show
Syracuse Museum of Fine Art – 19th Ceramic National
Intown Club
Massillon Museum of Art
Textile Arts Club
Women’s Cleveland City Club
Baycrafters
Chagrin Valley Artists Association
Sarasota Museum of Art – Sarasota, FL
Jewish Community Center
COLLECTIONS WHICH NOW INCLUDES HER WORK:
Butler Institute of Art – Collection of Ohio Ceramics
AWARDS:
Butler Institute of Art – Purchase Award
1st place Ceramics, Best in Pottery – Chagrin Valley Artists
1st place Crafts – Landerwood Art Association
Honorable Mention – Textile – Jewish Community Center
Viktor Schreckengost (1906 – 2008) was an important American industrial designer as well as a teacher, sculptor, and artist. His wide-ranging work included noted pottery designs, industrial design, bicycle design and seminal research on radar feedback. Schreckengost's peers included designers Raymond Loewy, Norman Bel Geddes, Eva Zeisel, and Russel Wright.
NOTE: It’s interesting to note that Viktor Schreckengost (American, 1906-2008) rented studio space at Fillous & Ruppell where he designed and created the scale models for his Bird Tower reliefs for the Cleveland Zoo, as well as one of the full-size panels, because he didn’t have sufficient space in his own studio for clay works that size. He collaborated with Cleveland woodcarver, James J. Fillous (American, 1912-1991) who carved the designs. James J. Fillous was Florence Fillous’ father-in-law and Robert Fillous’ father.
Schreckengost taught at the Cleveland Institute of Art when Robert Fillous, creator of the "Tree of Knowledge' sculpture in Berea, was a student there. It also shows influences from Schreckengost, with whom Fillous likely studied at the Cleveland Institute of Art.
Therefore, it is evident that many members of the Fillous family worked and studied with Viktor Schreckengost.