"Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection", at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 - May 21, 2023. Installation view. Angled perspective of artworks in wall and floor vitrines, including plates by Paul Scott hanging on the wall, and a bowl by Courtney Leondard in a case along with a smaller white ceramic bowl. In the background is also a vase by Steven Young Lee. Other works featured include vases, bowls, and scultpures. A large portion of the wall is cast with shadows from an overhanging installation which can be seen in this photo.

Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection

LACMA, Los Angeles, CA August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

One of the earliest and best-preserved areas of artistic production across the globe, ceramics remains a vital field of expression and experimentation into the present. Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection explores the medium through 14 case studies, placing historical works in visual dialogue with contemporary examples to illuminate symbolic meanings, technical achievements, and resonances throughout time. The exhibition examines how artists working today relate to international artistic traditions of the medium, both through deliberate references to the past and by engaging with aspects of clay materiality that have inspired makers over the centuries. Drawing from LACMAs wide-ranging collections, the exhibition also highlights many recent contemporary acquisitions, including works by Nicholas Galanin, Steven Young Lee, Courtney Leonard, Paul Scott, Mineo Mizuno, Elyse Pignolet, and more.

AT LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

Los Angeles, CA | August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023

Steven Young Lee Installation in "Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection", at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 - May 21, 2023. Image (right): Steven Young Lee, "Jar with Tiger and Clouds", 2019, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Debbie and Mark Attanasio and Kelly and Steve McLeod through the 2021 Decorative Arts and Design Acquisitions Committee (DA²), © Steven Young Lee, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA Image (left): Unknown, Jar with Dragon and Clouds, 1700–1800, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, purchased with museum funds, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA Pictured on the right if a blue and white vase by Steven Lee, which has been manipulated by the artist and is fired intentionally to appear as if it collapsed or was torn. Imagery includes tigers and clouds and highlights motifs from Korean decorative imager and ceramics. To the left is a Jar with Dragon and Clouds, featuring two dragons curving around the vase and the same clouds as on the contemporary work.
Paul Scott Installation in "Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection", at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 - May 21, 2023. Installation view of 3 blue and white tranferware print collages by artist Paul Scott on ceramic plates: (left) "Cumbrian Blue(s), New American Scenery, Forget Me Not, No Human Being is Illegal (1/5)", 2019, transfer print collage on salvaged Syracuse China with pearlware glaze, 12 x 12 x 1.25". (center) "Cumbrian Blue(s), New American Scenery, California Wildfires No:1", 2019, transfer print collage on partially erased 'Beauty Spots of California', Staffordshire souvenir transferware plate, 9.75 x 9.75 x 1.25". (right) "Cumbrian Blue(s), New American Scenery, Souvenir of Shiprock, No. 4", 2020, transfer print collage on pearlware plate with uranium glass, & Corona beer bottle shards collected from the base of Shiprock, 12 x 12 x 1.25". The plates feature subject matters ranging from the artist's series: New American Scenery, Immigration, Race, Souvenir, Native American, Energy, Nuclear, Environment, American Landscapes They are installed in a row of 3, hanging above two trasferware pieces from the LACMA collection. One piece is blue and white while the other is brown or sepia. All works have dynamic shadows which bring drama and dimensionality to the installation view.
"Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection", at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 - May 21, 2023. Installation view. Angled perspective of artworks in wall and floor vitrines, including plates by Paul Scott hanging on the wall (left) , and a vase by Steven Young Lee placed next to a vase from the LACMA collection (right). Other works featured include vases, bowls, and scultpures. The entry panel "conversing in clay" can be seen behind the works on one wall.
"Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection", at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 - May 21, 2023. Installation view. Angled perspective of artworks in wall and floor vitrines, including plates by Paul Scott hanging on the wall, and a bowl by Courtney Leondard in a case along with a smaller white ceramic bowl. Other works featured include vases, bowls, and scultpures. A large portion of the wall is cast with shadows from an overhanging installation which can be seen in this photo.
"Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection", at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 - May 21, 2023. Installation view. Angled perspective of artworks in wall and floor vitrines, including plates by Paul Scott hanging on the wall, and a bowl by Courtney Leondard in a case along with a smaller white ceramic bowl. Other works featured include vases, bowls, and scultpures. A large portion of the wall is cast with shadows from an overhanging installation which can be seen in this photo.
Steven Young Lee Installation in "Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection", at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 - May 21, 2023. Image (left): Steven Young Lee, "Jar with Tiger and Clouds", 2019, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Debbie and Mark Attanasio and Kelly and Steve McLeod through the 2021 Decorative Arts and Design Acquisitions Committee (DA²), © Steven Young Lee, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA Image (Right): Unknown, Jar with Dragon and Clouds, 1700–1800, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, purchased with museum funds, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA Pictured on the left if a blue and white vase by Steven Lee, which has been manipulated by the artist and is fired intentionally to appear as if it collapsed or was torn. Imagery includes tigers and clouds and highlights motifs from Korean decorative imager and ceramics. To the right is a Jar with Dragon and Clouds, featuring two dragons curving around the vase and the same clouds as on the contemporary work.
"Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection", at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 - May 21, 2023. Installation view. Angled perspective of artworks in wall and floor vitrines, including plates by Paul Scott hanging on the wall, and a bowl by Courtney Leondard in a case along with a smaller white ceramic bowl. In the background is also a vase by Steven Young Lee. Other works featured include vases, bowls, and scultpures. A large portion of the wall is cast with shadows from an overhanging installation which can be seen in this photo.
"Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection", at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 - May 21, 2023. Installation view of Courtney Leonard, "Red Algae | Log:17-1", 2016, ceramics, coiled and woven earthenware, steel base, 19 x 20 x 6". Collection of the Crocker Museum of Art. "Red Algae | Log:17-1" from Leonard's "Abundance" Collection. The pieces shown in the photo are coiled, basket bowls. Courtney Leondard's work is made of brown clay and net-like coils and the smaller artwork is a white ceramic bowl, about half the size of Leonard's piece. both works are casting dynamic shadows that display the intricate and dramatic patterns.

ABOUT LACMA

Located on the Pacific Rim, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of more than 147,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of artistic expression across the globe. Committed to showcasing a multitude of art histories, LACMA exhibits and interprets works of art from new and unexpected points of view that are informed by the regions rich cultural heritage and diverse population. LACMAs spirit of experimentation is reflected in its work with artists, technologists, and thought leaders as well as in its regional, national, and global partnerships to share collections and programs, create pioneering initiatives, and engage new audiences.

“Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection”, at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023. Installation view of entry panel.
“Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection”, at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023.
“Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection”, at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023.
“Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection”, at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023.
“Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection”, at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023.
“Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection”, at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023. Installation view.
Paul Scott Installation in “Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection”, at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023. Paul Scott: 3 tranferware print collages on ceramic plates: (left) “Cumbrian Blue(s), New American Scenery, Forget Me Not, No Human Being is Illegal (1/5)”, 2019 (center) “Cumbrian Blue(s), New American Scenery, California Wildfires No:1”, 2019 (right) “Cumbrian Blue(s), New American Scenery, Souvenir of Shiprock, No. 4”, 2020.
Courtney Leonard Installation in “Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection”, at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023. Courtney Leonard, “Red Algae | Log:17-1″, 2016, ceramics, coiled and woven earthenware, steel base, 19 x 20 x 6”. Collection of the Crocker Museum of Art.
Steven Young Lee Installation in “Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection”, at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023. Image (left): Steven Young Lee, “Jar with Tiger and Clouds”, 2019, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Debbie and Mark Attanasio and Kelly and Steve McLeod through the 2021 Decorative Arts and Design Acquisitions Committee (DA²), © Steven Young Lee, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Steven Young Lee Installation in “Conversing in Clay: Ceramics from the LACMA Collection”, at LACMA, Lost Angeles, CA, August 7, 2022 – May 21, 2023. Image (right): Steven Young Lee, “Jar with Tiger and Clouds”, 2019, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Debbie and Mark Attanasio and Kelly and Steve McLeod through the 2021 Decorative Arts and Design Acquisitions Committee (DA²), © Steven Young Lee, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

MEDIA

Five artists featured in the show discuss their artistic practice in these short videos.