Raymond RorkeRaymond Rorke Ceramics

Pervasive Clay

I had the wonderful opportunity to co-curate an exhibition of contemporary ceramics at the University of Pennsylvania: "Pervasive Clay."

The aim was to invite visitors to re-envision clay's versatility and pervasiveness in a rapidly evolving world of contemporary art and culture. Selected works of 13 local and regional artists, craftsmen, and designers were showcased, ranging from high-fired porcelains to low-fired terracottas and lusterware; from woodfired stoneware and paper clay to slipcast porcelain and raw clay. While demonstrating clay's place in art, craft, design, installation, and performance, the exhibition was also the site for “Clay Salons” — evenings of informal talks by scholars, artists, and art professionals from Penn, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and The Clay Studio.

These photos chronicle the works, the gallery installation, and the Salon talks, along with the souvenir porcelain spoons that visitors received.

Artists: Ruth Borgenicht, Molly Hatch, Bryan Hopkins, Jane Irish, J.J. McCracken, Don Nakamura, Liz Quackenbush, Jenny Sabin, Paul Swenbeck, Matthew Courtney, Ryan Greenheck, Sumi Maeshima, and Raymond Rorke.

Speakers: Ann Blair Brownlee, Frank L. Chance, Jane Irish, Jenny Sabin. Elisabeth Agro, Marie-Claude Boileau, J.J. McCracken, Christopher R. Taylor