New Blue and White

[Brigitte Martin]

New Blue and White

February 20, 2013 - July 14, 2013
Foster Gallery, 158

Discover contemporary interpretations of blue-and-white ceramics

Delft Blue ‘Plooischotel’ Necklace

Gésine Hackenberg, Delft Blue ‘Plooischotel’ Necklace, 2012. Wall plate of Delfts Blue earthenware by De Porceleyne Fles. Nylon thread. Courtesy Seinna Gallery. © Gésine Hackenberg.

"sumptuous, conceptually elegant show"—The Boston Globe

"Blue and white" means, at its simplest, cobalt pigment applied to white clay. Over the course of a millennium, blue-and-white porcelain has become one of the most recognized types of ceramic production worldwide. With roots in the Islamic world and Asia, and strong presence in Europe and the Americas, various cultures adapted blue-and-white, from the Willow pattern to isznik. Taking inspiration from global blue-and-white traditions, today’s artists continue the story, creating works that speak to contemporary ideas. They tackle diverse issues, ranging from the public (the political landscape, cross-cultural interchange), to the personal (family, memory, the act of collecting), to the aesthetic (abstraction, pattern, the role of decoration). “New Blue and White” explores the ways in which contemporary makers, working in ceramics as well as other media ranging from fiber to furniture to glass, have explored this rich body of material culture. An international selection of artists and designers is featured in the exhibition, and recent acquisitions of work by the ceramic sculptor Chris Antemann and fashion designers Rodarte are drawn from the MFA’s own collection.

INFORMATION

Vase with Landscape and Butterflies

Steven Lee, Vase with Landscape and Butterflies, 2012. Porcelain, cobalt inlay, and luster. On loan from Lynne Kipnis. Image courtesy of the lender.