About the Artist
Dan Mack started working with clay in high school, where he was immediately captivated—maybe from a family history of artists, or from being introduced to clay at a young age by his uncle. That early spark took hold, and he spent his school lunches in the pottery studio, teaching himself the craft by watching old videos of Hsin-Chuen Lin, carefully deciphering throwing techniques purely through observation.
That same wheel, once owned by his uncle, was later passed down to him. After graduating, he opened a small studio called Garden Shed Pottery, working out of the tool shed behind his parents’ house. That space became the foundation for what would later evolve into Dan Mack Studio.
While studying at UC Berkeley, Dan continued refining his style, developing a focus on restraint, precision, and utility. His current aesthetic became influenced by Japandi design, wood-lathed forms, and a deep respect for traditional wheel-thrown technique.
He now works out of his studio in San Francisco, California, using stoneware and reduction firing techniques. Surfaces are often left raw or minimally glazed to highlight the natural character of the clay. This keeps the focus where it began: with an obsession for form and technique, seen in the tension in the walls, the precision of trimming, and the timelessness of his shapes.
His work reflects this intersection—minimal, strong forms that demand control and mastery to execute, but never feel overworked. Every piece sits in the space between natural imperfection and technical precision.
