Mark Tanous, a Californian artist with deep ties to Monterey County, is making waves at the Monterey Museum of Art with his latest exhibit, Water: A Story to Be Told. The show, part of the museum’s Currents program spotlighting emerging local artists, features 19 ceramics that explore the theme of water.
“Water is so vital to us, yet we take it for granted,” says Tanous, whose lifelong relationship with clay underscores the delicate balance between creation and destruction. He likens the process of working with ceramics to water’s cycle—clay, once filled with life and moisture, is fired into a parched form, only to be revived again through glazing.
A self-described “fableist,” Tanous intertwines narrative into his work, creating fictional characters he calls the “Reductionists.” In this exhibit, he introduces three: a San Francisco street sweeper, a former crop-dusting pilot from California’s Central Valley, and a teacher—all united by their unique observations on water’s misuse.
“Water is a simple, wonderful thing, and we need to pay more attention to it,” Tanous cautions. “It’s rapidly becoming a tool of war and oppression.”
Beyond ceramics, Tanous’ California roots run deep. Raised in Carmel and now teaching art at Monterey Peninsula College, his journey with clay continues to evolve, reflecting a profound connection to both his craft and the environment.
Source: Monterey County Now
