Betty Woodman

(American, 1930–2018)

Betty Woodman was a ceramic artist best known for her exuberantly colorful and inventive work which gained recognition in the early 1970s. She often worked with a deconstructed version of the traditional ceramic vessel, with her pieces ranging from massive site-specific murals to fragmentary columns and carpet-like floor pieces. “It makes good sense to use clay for pots, vases, pitchers, and platters, but I like to have things both ways,” the artist explained. “I make things that could be functional, but I really want them to be considered works of art.” In its use of color and pattern, Woodman’s early work can be seen as a reaction to the overwhelmingly austere Minimalist and Conceptual aesthetic prevalent at the time. Born on May 14, 1930 in Norwalk, CT, she studied art at Alfred University, and was notably the mother of the celebrated late photographer Francesca Woodman. Betty Woodman’s works can be found in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, among others. She died on January 3, 2018 at the age of 87.

Betty Woodman Artworks

Betty Woodman (314 results)
Pillow Pitcher

Betty Woodman

Pillow Pitcher

Sale Date: November 18, 2022

Auction Closed

Oval Basket with Console Handles, USA, circa , 1979

Betty Woodman

Oval Basket with Console Handles, USA, circa , 1979

Sale Date: November 18, 2022

Auction Closed

Teapot and Two Cups and Saucers, USA, circa..., 1980

Betty Woodman

Teapot and Two Cups and Saucers, USA, circa..., 1980

Sale Date: November 18, 2022

Auction Closed

Group of Ten Dinner Plates, USA, circa 1980, 1980

Betty Woodman

Group of Ten Dinner Plates, USA, circa 1980, 1980

Sale Date: November 18, 2022

Auction Closed

Strawberry basket, 1986

Betty Woodman

Strawberry basket, 1986

Sale Date: November 17, 2022

Auction Closed

Tea bowl, 1980

Betty Woodman

Tea bowl, 1980

Sale Date: November 15, 2022

Auction Closed

Untitled (Terra Cotta Planter 4), 2010

Betty Woodman

Untitled (Terra Cotta Planter 4), 2010

Sale Date: November 17, 2022

Auction Closed

Early Pillow vase, 1985

Betty Woodman

Early Pillow vase, 1985

Sale Date: October 27, 2022

Auction Closed

Untitled (Winged Vase)

Betty Woodman

Untitled (Winged Vase)

Sale Date: October 22, 2022

Auction Closed

Autumn Pillow Pitcher, 1998

Betty Woodman

Autumn Pillow Pitcher, 1998

Sale Date: September 23, 2022

Auction Closed

On The Way to India, 1988

Betty Woodman

On The Way to India, 1988

Sale Date: August 24, 2022

Auction Closed

Hanging Pot (Green and Blue), 1970–1979

Betty Woodman

Hanging Pot (Green and Blue), 1970–1979

Sale Date: July 28, 2022

Auction Closed

Hanging Pot (Yellow and Gray), 1970–1979

Betty Woodman

Hanging Pot (Yellow and Gray), 1970–1979

Sale Date: July 28, 2022

Auction Closed

Strawberry basket, 1986

Betty Woodman

Strawberry basket, 1986

Sale Date: June 10, 2022

Auction Closed

Twisted Handle Vase with Shadow, 1986

Betty Woodman

Twisted Handle Vase with Shadow, 1986

Sale Date: June 7, 2022

Auction Closed

Cup, 1975–1999

Betty Woodman

Cup, 1975–1999

Sale Date: May 4, 2022

Auction Closed

Fruit Bowl, 1975–1999

Betty Woodman

Fruit Bowl, 1975–1999

Sale Date: May 4, 2022

Auction Closed

Tray, 1980

Betty Woodman

Tray, 1980

Sale Date: May 4, 2022

Auction Closed

Spring Vase, 1980

Betty Woodman

Spring Vase, 1980

Sale Date: May 4, 2022

Auction Closed

Three Sisters, 1980

Betty Woodman

Three Sisters, 1980

Sale Date: May 4, 2022

Auction Closed

Pillow Pitcher, 1980

Betty Woodman

Pillow Pitcher, 1980

Sale Date: March 8, 2022

Auction Closed

Wall Shelf, 1975–1999

Betty Woodman

Wall Shelf, 1975–1999

Sale Date: January 27, 2022

Auction Closed

Tray, 1980

Betty Woodman

Tray, 1980

Sale Date: January 27, 2022

Auction Closed

Three Sisters, 1980

Betty Woodman

Three Sisters, 1980

Sale Date: January 27, 2022

Auction Closed