The relationship of color to material, form and meaning in ceramic art from 20th century to present

Color, form, and meaning in art create a cohesive whole that enhances visual and emotional impacts, enriching the layers of meaning in artworks. This thesis addresses color in ceramic art initially within the framework of scientific color knowledge and then examines its relationship with factors shaping and influencing color in ceramics. The transformation of this relationship is analyzed in a historical context, particularly under the influence of elements such as the Industrial Revolution, Modernism, and Avant-Garde Art Movements from the 20th century onward. To this end, the transformation of the relationship between the element of color and material, form, and meaning in European ceramic art from the 20th century to the present has been thoroughly examined. In the first chapter, the phenomenon of color is studied in the context of dimensions of color, its relationship with light, color theories, fundamental properties of color, and types of color, alongside the relationship between scientific color knowledge and the use of color in art, supported by examples. The second chapter emphasizes the importance of the material-color relationship in ceramic art, investigating the effects of coloring materials and factors influencing color on clay bodies, underglazes, and glazes. The third chapter explains the transformations observed in the creation of meaning through color and form in ceramic art, considering historical and cultural contexts, artistic movements, and individual artist examples. In the fourth and final chapter, the researcher demonstrates the relationship between color, material, form, and meaning through their personal artistic practices. This thesis systematically organizes the evolution of the relationship between color, form, and meaning in ceramic art from the 20th century to the present, considering its fundamental influencing factors. In this regard, it is anticipated that the thesis will provide a valuable contribution to the literature on the recent history of contemporary ceramic art.