Jim Melchert (1932-2023) is often described as the "great philosopher of the post-war craft movement." This is the first monograph to document Melchert's esteemed and influential career. The book is a long overdue tribute to one of America's great artists, who challenged ceramic traditions of expression, form, and function and helped elevate the medium's acceptance into mainstream contemporary sculpture. It presents an overview of his storied 60 year career, including his work with Peter Voulkos, Ken Price, Viola Frey and Ron Nagle in the 1960's helping elevate ceramics to a contemporary art form. It documents the artists involvement in the California Funk movement, his groundbreaking 1970s performances, his work in conceptual art and showcases the thrilling broken tile works that preoccupied the artist at the end of his long career. Embedded in his artwork, we see a philosophical concept that when something is broken, it can be repaired and made stronger and more beautiful. We see in Melchert's tile work a metaphor for life. What lies behind these broken shards in Melchert's mesmerizing works is something remarkable: Optimism.

Nothing is beyond repair. These remarkable works are born from the belief that we have the power to bring positive change from our misfortune and contribute to the depth of our shared story.