Jim Melchert Obituary

Jim Melchert was an American artist best known for his ceramics and sculptures.

Througout his career, Melchert worked with many media, including painting, drawing, performance art, film and most notably sculpture and ceramics. His unique process involves breaking down, drawing on, and reassembling ceramic tiles before painting the new constructions with glaze.

As part of the Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Arts in America, Melchert donated his papers to the Smithsonian’s Archive of American Arts in 2004 and 2019-2021.

His work is held by over two dozen collections including the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, The Museum of Art and Design and Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Jim Melchert died in June 2023, after complications of stroke.