amed ceramist Beatrice Wood died March 12 at her home in Ojai, Calif. Born in San Francisco on March 3, 1893, Wood lived a remarkable life. Just a few days before her death, she marked her 105th birthday by bestowing her annual Beatrice Wood Film Award to "Titanic" director James Cameron.
Cameron had interviewed Wood while creating the role of the adventurous 101-year-old Rose, played by Oscar Nominee Gloria Stuart.
Wood's liaisons with artist Marcel Duchamp, writer Henri-Pierre Roche and others associated with the avante-garde Dada movement of the early 20th century, earned her the appellation "Mama of Dada."
Wood was noted for pioneering exquisite "luster" glazes in luminous colors including dark green, gold, pink and blue. Her work was noted for its social commentary, often poking fun at political hypocrisy and the battle of the sexes.
Wood's ceramics are displayed in the permanent collections of 12 major U.S. museums, including the Smithsonian and New York's Museum of Modern Art.
At age 100, she became the subject of a documentary called "Beatrice Wood: Mama of Dada," which gave viewers a first-hand look at the legendary artist, who was as famous for her rebellious and insolent wit as she was for her ceramics.
Throughout her life, Wood challenged the relevance of age, saying often that "chocolate and young men" were the keys to her longevity. In the last few years of her life, neither her failing health nor her failing hearing were enough to keep her from entertaining guests at her Topa Topa mountain studio and home. She once noted that "chocolate is my passport. Anyone who comes here must bring chocolate if they want a nice visit."
Wood's health suffered after a severe bout of bronchitis in 1994 and complications from subsequent gastrointestinal surgery.
Bernadette Finnerty is editor of The Crafts Report.
