Published January, 2025
Chris Antemann, “A Little Madness”, 2023, porcelain, china paint, decals, luster, 25 x 18 x 16″. Dixon Gallery and Gardens; Museum purchase, 1981.1
GROWING COLLECTIONS
Notes from Director Leslie Ferrin
Recent years have given collectors and museums an unprecedented opportunity to build public collections of ceramic art (from 1950 – present) through gifts and funded acquisitions. At Ferrin Contemporary, we see firsthand the generosity of donors who are making it possible for artists to create new works through funded commissions and support of exhibitions that activate and build upon permanent collections.
With each acquisition, we witness the steady process and dedication of curators as they consider how these artworks fit into and are subsequently added to their collections. These efforts continue as exhibitions are curated, catalogs published and permanent collections reinterpreted.
The work that takes place behind the scenes for each object acquired is not always visible. The process leads to important documentation as new research and scholarship are made public when objects are placed on view. This information becomes even more widely accessible and searchable through digital means on museum websites. Catalog essays, new photography, and interviews with both collectors and artists provide valuable narratives. Each object’s provenance, concept, and broader context are explored and important biographical information about the artists’ lives recorded. Connections are made as archival materials emerge and donors provide personal narratives about their collecting and artists about their practice. Generational linkages are established among communities when seen in photographs taken during studio visits. Archival printed matter from the original exhibitions and financial records emerge that illustrate the interconnections between artists, galleries, and the collectors who support them.
As we embark on an exciting year, we thank the donors, curators, and leadership who make it all possible for artists to create new works and share them with audiences throughout the world.
– Leslie Ferrin, founding director, Ferrin Contemporary