LaGardo Tackett: His Life and Work
By F. Peter Swanson, M.D.
Book available to order on Blurb Books
Tackett article in Connecticut Explored
Anyone familiar with the “Case Study Houses” project from Arts & Architecture magazine organized by John Entenza from 1945 to 1966 has seen the work of LaGardo Tackett (1911 - 1984) displayed on most of the featured homes’ patios. His oversized pots, simply known as “Architectural Pottery,” stood as planters and totems at the edges of pools, in courtyards, and in the arid gardens of California. Ceramics collectors can usually identify Tackett’s minimalist white porcelain tableware, but his creations include scores of other forms and several signature colors. His interests were not limited to pottery but evolved over his lifetime from furniture design to a philosophical approach to a modern style of living.