Hi Georgia,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Betty Woodman (1930–2018) was one of the most influential and innovative American ceramic artists of the 20th and early 21st centuries — a pioneer who elevated clay from craft to fine art through her bold use of color, form, and painterly surface. She studied ceramics at the School for American Craftsmen at Alfred University (New York), one of the leading programs for studio ceramics.

She trained in traditional pottery techniques, but from early on, she experimented with form and function, seeing the vessel as both object and sculpture.

A very similar if slightly larger (89-1/2 by 86-5/8 inches) mixed media sculpture that also incorporated vessels was offered at Christie's New York a year ago for $50,000-70,000 but it didn't sell, presumably because the estimate and/or reserve was too high. In light of that, a value of $20,000-30,000 would be appropriate for an auction estimate.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

Betty Woodman (American, 1930-2018)
"Korean Paintings: Freesia", 2003
Square backpanel imitating a wall with two dimensional vases raised away from the surface and shown issuing scrolling vines
Mixed media (ceramics and paint on canvas)
66 by 66 inches; depth approximately 12 inches
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition; value assumes
PROVENANCE: Unknown
$20,000-30,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia