What types of art do you specialize in?

We specialize in contemporary ceramics from the 1950s onward, including clay and porcelain sculptures.

Do you offer collection services?

Yes, we work with private collectors and artist archives to organize, document, and appraise ceramic art collections for deacquisition or placement.

Can you help with exhibition development?

Absolutely, we collaborate with museums and cultural institutions to develop and present ceramic art exhibitions.

Do you provide touring programs?

Yes, we curate and organize touring exhibitions for contemporary ceramic artists.

What are legacy projects?

Legacy projects include customized services for artists, such as retrospective catalogs, exhibitions, and museum acquisitions.

Project Tag: Kadri Pärnamets Exhibitions

Oct

2022

Kadri Pärnamets: CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER

NOVEMBER 17, 2022 to JANUARY 28, 2023

FERRIN CONTEMPORARY
1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams MA

OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday, Dec. 3, 3-5 pm
At Ferrin Contemporary, North Adams, MA

“Kadri Pärnaments: CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER”, installation at 1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA, November 17, 2022 – January 28, 2023.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

North Adams, MA –

Ferrin Contemporary is proud to present a new exhibition about one of our most precious resources, water.

Kadri Pärnamets: THE CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER features porcelain sculptures, vases, and cups as a meditation on this universal element. The exhibition is open now with a reception for the artist on Sat., Dec. 3, 3-5 pm.

After installing her work in the gallery, Pärnaments stood outside in the rain, looking in on her work. “It’s amazing to me, we all share this substance. Everyone all over the world is sharing the same water,” said the artist whose primary inspiration for this work is rain.

The exhibition features her biomorphic, organic vessel forms. Thinking of herself as a choreographer, the artist explores shapes that connect to water, from cloud to cup. Pärnaments interests range from fragile, natural environments to female identity and this is evident across form, color, and function.

CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER

Ferrin Contemporary | Nov 17 2022 to Jan 28 2023

“Kadri Pärnaments: CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER”, installation at 1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA, November 17, 2022 – January 28, 2023.

ABOUT KADRI PÄRNAMETS

Kadri Pärnamets works in porcelain using traditional hand-building and sculpting techniques to combine surface and form. Her biomorphic, organic forms provide a means to convey her personal interests ranging from fragile, natural environments to female identity. Her surface treatments feature a range of gesture and expression with either abstract shape or narrative figure painting, inspired by painters from the European Renaissance and Impressionist eras, like Lucas Cranach the Elder and Edouard Manet.

Pärnamets’ work has been shown internationally at the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design (Tallinn, Estonia), at the International Tea Trade Expo (Shanghai, China), and many others. Since 1996, she has participated in symposiums in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Switzerland, USA, Norway, and Hungary.

Pärnamets graduated from the Art Institute of Tallinn, Estonia with a BA/MFA in Ceramics. Dividing her time between Estonia and USA, her primary studio is the USA at Project Art in Cummington, MA. She is represented by Ferrin Contemporary.

INQUIRE HERE

SHOP

SELECT WORKS
AVAILABLE IN OUR ONLINE SHOP

CUPS

*Cups by Kadri Pärnamets will be released to the online shop in groups of 10 and will remain online for a limited time.

“Kadri Pärnaments: CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER”, installation at 1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA, November 17, 2022 – January 28, 2023.

VASES

Kadri Pärnamets, “Blue and White Cloud Vase (2)”, 2022, porcelain, slip, glaze, 10.25 x 11 x 9.5″

Kadri Pärnamets, “Blue Cloud Vase”, 2022, porcelain, slip, glaze, 6.5 x 9.75 x 8.5″

Kadri Pärnamets, “Light Green and Red Vase”, 2022, porcelain, slip, glaze, 11 x 7 x 8″

CLOUDS

Kadri Pärnamets, “Black Cloud”, 2015, Porcelain, Slip, Glaze, 25.5 x 18 x 14″

Kadri Pärnamets, “White Cloud”, 2015, Porcelain, Slip, Glaze, 21 x 17 x 14.5″

Kadri Pärnamets, “Black Cloud”, 2015, Porcelain, Slip, Glaze, 23 x 15 x 11″

Kadri Pärnamets, “White Cloud”, 2015, Porcelain, Slip, Glaze, 20 x 22 x 11.5″

PRESS

Kadri Pärnamets: THE CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER Press Release 11.21.22

PROGRAMMING

Public artist reception | Sat., Dec. 3, 3-5 pm

Now open at Ferrin Contemporary
exhibition continues through Jan. 28, 2023

PREVIEW EVENT | Oct 1 – 2, 2022

Hilltown Open Studio Tour
at Project Art, Cummington, MA

Kadri Pärnamets, “Cups”, 2020, porcelain, slip, glaze, ~4 x 4 x 4″ (each)

Kadri Pärnamets, “Blue and White Cloud Vase”, 2019, porcelain, slip, glaze, 12 x 13 x 9.5″

Kadri Pärnamets, Cups, 2020, porcelain, slip, glaze, 4 x 4 x 4″ (each).

Kadri Pärnamets, “Blue and White Cloud Vase (2)”, 2022, porcelain, slip, glaze, 10.25 x 11 x 9.5″

Apr

2020

NATURE/NURTURE

2021 | NATURE/NURTURE II

NCECA 2021 Virtual Conference
Rivers, Reflections, and Reinvention
March 17, 2021 – March 21, 2021

Gallery Presentation
1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams
March 17, 2021 – May 29, 2021

In March 2020 we invited a group of women artists to explore the influence of gender and its impact on their creative practice. This year, Nature/Nurture returns with new additional works as a virtual exhibition at NCECA’s first virtual conference, with select works on view at Ferrin Contemporary.

Opening Reception

March 19, 2021 @ 7pm on Zoom

Shop Select Works

Select works available on our Online Store.
Inquire for additional works.

NATURE/NURTURE, Gallery Installation presented in 2020 at 1315 MASS MoCA Way, March 4 -June 27, 2020.

Artists Include:

Cristina Córdova
Giselle Hicks
Lauren Mabry
Anina Major
Crystal Morey
Kadri Pärnamets
Linda Sikora
Sally Silberberg
Rae Stern
Mara Superior
Tricia Zimic

Cristina Córdova, ‘Altar’, 2019, ceramic and photograph installation, 83 x 75 x 82″.

Giselle Hicks, “Group of Vessels”, 2019, stoneware, glaze, 21 x 60 x 8″, 2′ x 5′.

Lauren Mabry, “Glazescape 20.03″, 2020, earthenware, slip, glaze, 12.5 x 9 x 3.5”, view 3.

Lauren Mabry, “Cylinder 20.10″, 2020, earthenware, slip, glaze, 7.25 x 8.5 x 8.5”.

Lauren Mabry, “Cylinder 20.01″ 2020, earthenware, slip, glaze, 8 x 8 x 5”.

Lauren Mabry, ‘Cylinder 20.03’ 2020, earthenware, slip, glaze, 8 x 9 x 9″.

Lauren Mabry, “Glaze Flow Blocks 20.02″, 2020, earthenware, slip, glaze, 11.5 x 9 x 11.75”

Anina Major, “Hybrid Gourd”, 2019, stoneware, glaze, 18 x 18 x 14″.

Crystal Morey, “Three Graces” 2019, hand-sculpted porcelain, 19 x 10 x 8″.

Kadri Pärnamets, “Moor” 2019, porcelain, slip, glaze, 8 x 9 x 6″.

Kadri Pärnamets, ‘Noon Dance’ 2019, porcelain, slip, glaze, 8.5 x 9 x 4.5″

Kadri Pärnamets, “Sultry Night” 2019, porcelain, slip, glaze, 6 x 10.5 x 5.5″.

Kadri Pärnamets, “Waggle Dance”, 2019, porcelain, slip, glaze, 11.5 x 6.5 x 6″.

Linda Sikora, “Bucket Jar”, 2019, porcelain, underglaze, salt glaze, 11 x 10.5 x 10.5″

Linda Sikora, “Tall Cylinder Jar”, 2019, porcelain, underglaze, salt glaze, 11 x 7.5 x 7.5″

Linda Sikora, “Low Cylinder Box”, 2019, porcelain, underglaze, salt glaze, 6 x 8 x 8″

Linda Sikora, “Dome Jar”, 2019, porcelain, underglaze, salt glaze, 12.5 x 9.5 x 9.5″

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, Sally Silberberg, 2020.

Sally Silberberg, “Black Striae”, 1988-2019, porcelain, enameled wooden base, 11 x 16.5 x 17″.

Sally Silberberg, “Blue Striae”, 1988-2019, porcelain, enameled wooden base, 15 x 12 x 12.5″.

Rae Stern, “Steve Sherry: Not old friends but good friends” 2019, unglazed porcelain, digital components, LED light, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, 3D printed TPU filament, vintage furniture.

Mara Superior, “Isolation Creation”, 2020, English porcelain, cobalt oxide, gold luster, glaze, 12.75 x 16.5 x 1.25″

Mara Superior, “Shelter in Place”, 2020, English porcelain, cobalt oxide, gold luster, glaze, 7.5 x 9.5 x .75″

Mara Superior, “A Pair of Seeing Eyes”, 2020, English porcelain, ceramic oxides, gold luster, glaze, 4 x 18 x .75″

Mara Superior, “Only One Planet Earth”, 2019, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf, 16 x 16 x 1.5”.

Tricia Zimic, “Tiger Trade” & “Greed”, 2016-2018, installation view.

Tricia Zimic, “Greed”, 2016, porcelain and glaze, 9 x 12.5 x 8″.

Tricia Zimic, “Diligence/Kintsugi”, 2021, porcelain, graphite, 15.5″ x 11.5″ x 11.5″

2020 | NATURE/NURTURE

1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams
March 4 – June 27, 2020

Ferrin Contemporary is pleased to present Nature/Nurture, a group exhibition of twelve contemporary female artists invited to explore the influence of gender and its impact on their practice.

This timely exhibition explores these ideas that range from direct interpretations of the natural world to more abstract notions, such as the construction of gender and the endowed role of women within their personal and professional careers. Works in clay range in form from individual vessels to composed still lifes and figural and abstract sculpture.

Gallery director Leslie Ferrin chose a group of twelve female artists whose works and careers provide a range of diverse perspectives related to age, cultural identity and work being done in contemporary ceramics. Considering the impact that the #MeToo movement is having on all professions, Ferrin asked the artists to pause and reflect on the role gender plays in their artistic practice and to consider the nurturing experiences that have shaped them.

Ferrin writes, “A renewed awareness and galvanizing commitment for change is surging through American cultural and academic institutions, organizations and businesses of every sort, exposing the crying need for structural change; specifically, the advancement of equality for artists of all genders and elimination of sexual harassment, wage discrimination and other forms of sexism that continue to affect the lives of women, transgender and non-binary individuals. As part of the movement to reverse and rebalance with new priorities and opening doors, it is crucial to offer opportunities to artists who have been historically marginalized.”

Nature assigned these artists, who identify as female, on a given path, whereas nurture is an accumulation of experiences, influences and impact with both positive and negative results on personal and professional lives. Seen as a whole, this group of twelve women artists who live and work throughout the USA, is representative of the rising tide of professional opportunities for women artists. While significant earnings and advancement gaps remain, a course correction is underway through the increasing number of gender and culturally specific exhibitions. As priorities shift for museum collections, educational public programming and private collectors, these efforts to course-correct are bringing recognition to artists previously overlooked and undervalued and to undocumented legacies. Nature/Nurture seeks to contribute to and further this recognition.

Inspired by the important work of Judith Butler and Helen Longino, the artists in the show were invited to explore the influence of ‘Nature/Nurture’ within their practice. The work ranges from more direct interpretations of the natural world, to more abstract notions, such as the construction of gender, and endowed role of women.

“Possibility is not a luxury; it is as crucial as bread.”
― Judith Butler, Undoing Gender, 2004

PRESS & FEATURES:

Download the Press Release

Read Nature of Nurturing | Newsletter Series “On Nurturing” by Artists and Director

Artsy, Beautiful Bizarre, THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE, WAMC, and The Rogovoy Report

ONLINE PROGRAMMING:

ZOOM/ONLINE PROGRAM | Women in Ceramics with Garth Johnson at Everson Museum of Art – Friday, May 15, 2020.

Learn More & Watch the Video Recording

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, with Anina Major, 2020.

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, 2020.

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, Kadri Parnamets, Mara Superior, 2020.

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, Crystal Morey, Mara Superior, Kardi Parnamets, 2020.

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, 2020.

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, Rae Stern and Linda Sikora, 2020.

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, Linda Sormin, 2020.

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, Sally Silberberg, 2020.

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, Giselle Hicks and Tricia Zimic, 2020.

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, Tricia Zimic and Giselle Hicks, 2020.

“Nature/Nurture” Installation View, 2020.

Nature/Nurture – Ferrin Contemporary from Great Sky Media on Vimeo.

MORE ON THE ARTISTS

Cristina Córdova
Giselle Hicks
Lauren Mabry
Anina Major
Crystal Morey
Kadri Pärnamets
Linda Sikora
Sally Silberberg
Linda Sormin
Rae Stern
Mara Superior
Tricia Zimic

Cristina Córdova, Artist Portrait, 2018.

Giselle Hicks, Artist Portrait, 2019.

Anina Major, Artist Portrait.

Crystal Morey, Artist Portrait, 2019.

Kadri Pärnamets, Artist Portrait, 2019.

Sally Silberberg, Artist Portrait, 2020, Photo Credit John Polak.

Linda Sikora, Artist Portrait.

Linda Sormin, Artist Portrait.

Mara Superior, Artist Portrait, 2020

Rae’ut Stern, Artist Portrait, photo by T. Maxwell Wagner.

Tricia Zimic Artist Portrait

Aug

2019

COMPOSING FORM | Helen Day Art Center

COMPOSING FORM

Helen Day Art Center, Stowe Vermont

June 22- August 24, 2019

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 22, 5pm – 7pm

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

This group exhibition of contemporary sculptors working in ceramics highlights both figurative and abstract work that is both poetic and humorous, referencing human history, intervention, and experience.

Installation

Helen Day Art Center, ‘Composing Form’, 2019, installation view, Stowe, Vermont.Images courtesy of Jesse Schloff Photography.

Helen Day Art Center, ‘Composing Form’, 2019, installation view, Stowe, Vermont. Images courtesy of Jesse Schloff Photography

Helen Day Art Center, ‘Composing Form’, 2019, installation view, Stowe, Vermont.Images courtesy of Jesse Schloff Photography.

Helen Day Art Center, ‘Composing Form’, 2019, installation view, Stowe, Vermont. Images courtesy of Jesse Schloff Photography.

Artists Include:

Robin Best
Cristina Córdova
Sinying Ho
Sergei Isupov
Kadri Parnamets
Tara Thacker
Jerilyn Virden

EVENTS

Leslie Ferrin, director of Ferrin Contemporary, North Adams, MA will speak in conversation with curator, Rachel Moore about contemporary ceramics and the artists in Composing Form, the current exhibition at Helen Day Art Center.

Ferrin, a specialist in contemporary ceramics for forty years, represents several of the artists Moore chose for the survey exhibition. The two will discuss recent works by artists whose cultural identities are evident in the narratives conveyed through painted surfaces and sculpted form both in the exhibition and other examples in the field. The conversation will also touch on the influences and experiences of artists in the exhibition including American artist, Cristina Cordova whose Puerto Rican heritage is a major influence on her work and the four international artists in the exhibition, Russian born, Sergei Isupov Estonian born Kadri Parnamets and two who now produce their work in Jingdezhen, China, the birthplace of porcelain, Robin Best, Australian and Hong Kong-born Sinying Ho.

Curator Talk:

Leslie Ferrin and Rachel Moore in conversation at the Helen Day Art Center.

August 15, 2019 at 5:30pm

In the Exhibition

Robin Best, “The Knight of the Lions” 2016, porcelain, on-glaze xin cai , 14.1 x 7.9 x 10.25″ .

Sin-Ying Ho, “Wedlock” 2014, Porcelain, high fire reduction, hand painted cobalt pigment, computer decal transfer, terra sigillata, 16 x 8 x 8”.

Sin Ying Ho, “Wedlock” (detail) 2014 Porcelain, high fire reduction, hand painted cobalt pigment, computer decal transfer, terra sigillata, 16 x 8 x 8”.

Sin Ying Ho, “World Garden no. 2″ 2014, Porcelain, hand-painted cobalt pigment, transfer decal, 48 x 18 x 18”.

Sergei Isupov, “FB-Eye” 2019, porcelain, slip, glaze, 7 x 7 x 5″.

Sergei Isupov, “FB-Eye” (back) 2019, porcelain, slip, glaze, 7 x 7 x 5″.

Sergei Isupov, “Vernal” 2016, porcelain, slip, glaze, 17.5 x 9 x 8″.

Sergei Isupov, “Horsepower” 2009, stoneware, 32 x 19 x 17″.

Cristina Córdova, “Cabeza V” 2018, ceramic, 24.5 x 30.5 x 8″

Cristina Córdova, “Cabeza V” 2018, ceramic, 24.5 x 30.5 x 8″.

Cristina Córdova, “Cabeza IV” 2018, ceramic, 17 x 11 x 5.5″

Kadri Pärnamets, “Unravel” 2008, porcelain, stain, 11.5 x 12 x 6.5″.

Kadri Pärnamets, “Question of Honor | Lucretia (After Lucas Cranach the Elder) Teapot” 2015, porcelain, slip, glaze, 11 x 10.5 x 5″.

Kadri Pärnamets, “Past in Present” 2015, porcelain, slip, glaze, 16.5 x 14.5 x 7″. photo: John Polak

Dec

2017

REVIVE, REMIX, RESPOND

THE FRICK PITTSBURGH

7227 Reynolds St., Pittsburgh, PA

February 17–May 27, 2018

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

In 2017, twenty contemporary artists were invited to respond to and produce new works that reference the art, objects, and social history of The Frick’s collections.

Many contemporary artists are breathing new life into the ceramic medium by reviving and reinvigorating age-old concepts. This reinvention is distilled into the use of 18th-century processes and techniques to create new motifs and the depiction of stories inspired by history — often with a commentary or critique on modern society.

This topic is particularly relevant to the current state of the ceramics and museum field as it answers the questions of how history meets contemporary. How can artists draw on the rich artistic traditions of ceramic history while reinvigorating their relevance in a society that prizes the contemporary? Likewise, how can museums use contemporary ceramic art to illuminate and reinvigorate historic collections? The Frick Pittsburgh is committed to using the voices and artworks of contemporary artists to meaningfully engage our audience and our collections with issues and ideas relevant to the present day. Revive, Remix, Respond is an exciting opportunity to continue that dialogue.

Organized by Dawn Reid Brean, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts at The Frick Pittsburgh with Leslie Ferrin of Ferrin Contemporary, the museum has invited artists to submit work that is inspired by, responds to, or relates to historic ceramics in The Frick Pittsburgh’s permanent collection. Highlight’s from the museum’s collection include Clayton, the historic Gilded Age home of industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick and its impressive array of fine and decorative arts objects; 18th-century Chinese porcelains purchased by Frick from the collection of J. P. Morgan; and 18th-century French painting and decorative arts collected by Frick’s daughter, Helen Clay Frick.

The exhibition will consider the sources of inspiration shaping ceramics today and ways to keep clay vital in museums, schools, and artistic communities. These ideas directly relate to the organizing theme of NCECA 2018, CrossCurrents: Clay and Culture.

INSTALLATION

Revive, Remix, Respond at The Frick Pittsburgh 2018

Revive, Remix, Respond at The Frick Pittsburgh

EXHIBITING ARTISTS

Chris Antemann
Robin Best
Stephen Bowers
Bouke de Vries
Edward Eberle
Evan Hauser
Steven Young Lee
Beth Lipman
Crystal Morey
Kadri Parnamets
Peter Pincus
Kate Roberts
Justin Rothshank
Paul Scott
Cindy Sherman
Caroline Slotte
Dirk Staschke
Mara Superior
Kurt Weiser

PAST PROGRAMMING

Remix Your Friday Exhibition Preview
Friday, February 16, 5:30–7:30pm

Join us for a happy hour in The Frick Art Museum to celebrate the opening of this exhibition, Be among the first to see this unique exhibition, which features work from established and emerging artists. The evening will also feature gallery talks from exhibition curator Dawn Brean and exhibited artist Beth Lipman.

FEATURED WORKS

Robin Best, “The Knight of the Lions,” 2016, porcelain with on-glaze Xin Cai, 14.125 x 7.875 x 10.25″.

Stephen Bowers, “Flowers Fragment” 2018, white earthenware, underglaze colors, glaze, 8.75 x 8.75 x 1.6″.

Bouke de Vries, “Peacock 1″ 2016, twentieth-century Chinese porcelain bird, eighteenth-century Chinese porcelain fragments, mixed media, 24 x 13.5 x 25”.

Edward Eberle, “Subject-Predicate” 2014, porcelain with terra sigilatta, 28 x 13 x 12.5″.

Evan Hasuer, Preservation & Use #3 (Landscape with River, George Hetzel, 1880), 2018, 62 x 42″ x 2.5″.

Steven Young Lee, “Gourd Vases with Dodos” 2018, porcelain, cobalt pigment, glaze, 10 x 19 x 18”.

Beth Lipman, “Swag” 2003, vitreous china, 11 x 36 x 5″.

Crystal Morey, “Entangled Wonders: Across a Divide” 20187, porcelain, 16 x 9 x 9″.

Kadri Pärnamets, “Mining” porcelian, slip, 20.5 x 10.5 x 8″.

Peter Pincus, “Ewer, c. 1893/2018″ 2018, colored porcelain, 13 x 6 x 5”.

Kate Roberts, “Miss Havisham’s Beauty”, 2015, porcelain, 18 x 12 x 12″.

Justin Rothshank, “Andrew Carnegie Platter” 2017, 20 x 20″.

Paul Scott, “Scott’s Cumbrian Blue(s), Milking Time After Anton Maude” 2017, scrennprint (decal) on Portmerion porcelain platter, 13.5”x 9.25” (340mm x 235mm). One of an edition of ten.

Cindy Sherman, “Madame de Pompadour (nee Poisson)” Tureen, 1990, porcelain, 14.5 x 22 x 11.75″.

Caroline Slotte, “Going Blank Again” 2016, reworked second hand ceramics.

Dirk Staschke, “Soliloquy #1″ 2016, ceramic, shim, epoxy, 17 x 20 x 15”.

Mara Superior, “Kangxi Period, Qing Dynasty/ A Collection” 2018, porcelain, underglazes, oxides, glaze, gold leaf, 12.5 x 16 x 2.5″.

Kurt Weiser, “Random House (globe)” 2017, porcelain, glaze, china paint, metal, 30 x 14 x 14″.

Oct

2017

NEW YORK CERAMIC & GLASS FAIR 2018

NYC&G FAIR 2018

Bohemian National Hall, New York, NY | January 18–21, 2018

Bringing together a carefully selected and distinguished international group of more than 25 galleries offering all things “fired” — porcelain, pottery, and glass, in a setting perfect for the exhibition and sale of important small objects.

FERRIN CONTEMPORARY presenting work by

Chris Antemann
Robin Best
Stephen Bowers
Bouke de Vries
Edward Eberle
Evan Hauser
Charlotte Hodes
Sergei Isupov
Steven Young Lee
Crystal Morey
Kadri Pärnamets
Peter Pincus
Paul Scott
Mark Shapiro
Linda Sikora
Caroline Slotte
Dirk Staschke
Mike Stumbras
Mara Superior
Susan Thayer
Kurt Weiser

SPECIAL EXHIBITION

“Revive, Remix, Respond: Contemporary Ceramic Artists at The NYC&GF and The Frick Pittsburgh”

Organized by Dawn Reid Brean, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts at The Frick Pittsburgh, and Leslie Ferrin of Ferrin Contemporary.

In 2017, twenty contemporary artists were invited to respond to and produce new works that reference the art, objects and social history of the The Frick’s collections. Selected works by these artists whose artistic practice is informed by the past will preview in a special exhibition at the NYC&GF followed by the full exhibition at The Frick Pittsburgh, February 16–April 27, 2018. Click for more.

See below for illustrated lecture by Dawn Reid Brean.

LECTURE HIGHLIGHTS

“Pincus: Channeling Josiah Wedgwood”
with Peter Pincus
Friday, January 19, 12pm

Artist Peter Pincus speaks about his research and into the Wedgwood Collections at Birmingham Museum of Art and how conversations with curator Anne Forschler of the Birmingham Museum of Art are being incorporated into his new work and teaching. Pincus is visiting assistant professor of ceramics in the School for American Crafts at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Click for more.

“Revive, Remix, Respond: Contemporary Ceramic Artists at The Frick Pittsburgh”
with Dawn Brean and artists TBD
Friday, January 19, 2–3:00 p.m.

Dawn Reid Brean, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts at The Frick Pittsburgh, with Leslie Ferrin of Ferrin Contemporary and artists featured in the exhibition whose work is inspired by, responds to, or relates to historic ceramics in The Frick Pittsburgh’s permanent collection. Click for more.

“Time Travel in the Period Room”
with Elisabeth Agro, Barry Harwood, Sarah Carter
Friday, January 19, 4–5:00 p.m.

Three museum curators speak about exhibitions and projects that connect past and present in innovative ways, activating spaces through collaborations with contemporary artists and interdisciplinary scholars and informing new works. The curators will share how through working with contemporary artists and interdisciplinary scholars new works evolved, historic information revealed, audiences engaged, educational programming developed and connections made to the past while reflecting on present day issues.

• Elisabeth Agro is The Nancy M. McNeil Curator of American Modern and Contemporary Crafts and Decorative Arts at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Sarah Anne Carter, Ph.D. is the Curator and Director of Research of the Chipstone
Foundation
• Barry R. Harwood, Ph.D. is the Curator of Decorative Arts at the Brooklyn Museum

Click for more.

“American Studio Pottery — Making of a Movement”
Adrienne Spinozzi with Linda Sikora and Mark Shapiro
Saturday, January 20, 4pm

Internationally recognized potters Linda Sikora and Mark Shapiro discuss their divergent backgrounds, training, and influences as a way to touch on significant themes in postwar North American ceramics.

Moderator Adrienne Spinozzi is Assistant Research Curator of American Decorative Arts, The American Wing, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Linda Sikora resides near Alfred NY where she has a studio practice and is a Professor or Ceramic Art at Alfred University. Mark Shapiro is a potter in Western Massachusetts. He is a frequent workshop leader, lecturer, curator, panelist, and writer, and is mentor to more than a half-dozen apprentices who have trained at his Stonepool Pottery. Click for more.

Chris Antemann, “Shell Stand” 2016, porcelain, china paint, decals, luster, 21” x 10” x 10”.

Robin Best, “The Aldrovandi Vases” 2017, porcelain, on-glaze Xin Cai, 12.5 x 5″ each.

Stephen Bowers, “Plates”, Various 2015-7

Bouke de Vries, “Peacock 1″ 2016, twentieth-century Chinese porcelain bird, eighteenth-century Chinese porcelain fragments, mixed media, 24 x 13.5 x 25”.

Edward Eberle, “The Least of Eye is Flesh” 2007, porcelain, stain, 11.25 x 17.5 x 18″.

Evan Hauser, “Preservation & Use (Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point Trail, 1873, Albert Bierstadt)” 2017, porcelain, gold leaf, 15 x 11 2.5″.

Charlotte Hodes, “Dressed in Pattern: Portrait” 2016, handcut transfer on china, 11.25 x 29 x 1″.

Sergei Isupov, “Growth Rings” 2016, porcelain, underglaze, glaze, 23 x 10 x 6.5″.

Steven Young Lee, “Gourd Vases with Dodos” 2018, porcelain, cobalt pigment, glaze, 10 x 19 x 18”.

Crystal Morey, “New Symbiosis: Pronghorn” 2017, porcelain, 10.5 x 6 x 4.5″.

Kadri Pärnamets, “Picnic” 2014, porcelain, glaze, stain, 7.5 x 10.25 x 4″.

Peter Pincus, “Vase” 2018, colored porcelain, 16 x 7″.

Paul Scott, “Scott’s Cumbrian Blue(s), Houston No:3” 2017, in-glaze decal collage on pearlware shell edge platter c 1820. 15.75 x 11.75” (400mm x 300mm).

Mark Shapiro, “MORON” double walled vase.

Linda Sikora, “Small Group” 2017–8, porcelain, stoneware, approximate sizes: kettle 10 x 11 x 9″, box 8 x 7 x 7″, stand 1.5 x 11 x 11″.

Caroline Slotte, “Going Blank Again” 2016, reworked second hand ceramics.

Dirk Staschke, “Vanitas 1″ 2015–6, ceramic, 11 x 8 x 8”.

Mara Superior, “Venus of Urbino” 2018, porcelain, underglazes, oxides, glaze, gold leaf, decal, 13 x 19 x 3″.

Susan Thayer, “Return” 2016, teapot: porcelain, china paint, glazebase: lowfire stoneware, slip, 16 x 9 x 5″.

Kurt Weiser, “Random House (globe)” 2017, porcelain, glaze, china paint, metal, 30 x 14 x 14″.

Dirk Staschke "Vanitas 1"

Oct

2017

THE WOMEN

Oct 28, 2017 – Apr 21, 2018

Ferrin Contemporary
1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA

Click here for details.

Works on view include recent pieces by women whose primary medium is clay and selected works from private and artist archives by female potters and sculptors.

The Women provides Ferrin Contemporary an opportunity to highlight the range of work by women artists affiliated with the gallery program who are known for their work in ceramics.

Director Leslie Ferrin, a life long advocate for women in ceramics reflects on this moment, “It is gratifying to witness the attention to gender issues taking place throughout society. These same forces are fueling the interest in examining and bringing recognition to the overlooked contributions of women to postwar visual arts. Many of our collectors who brought a female perspective to building their collections are contributing to the public dialog by acquiring new works and making gifts to institutions. Museums are responding by offering exhibition opportunities, site specific commissions and adding to permanent collections to fill in gaps. It is an exciting time to see these changes taking place and being able to participate in the process.”

Ceramic Art and Figural Sculpture

Robin Best
Christie Brown
Caroline Cheng
Cristina Córdova
Claire Curneen
Ruth Duckworth
Viola Frey
Giselle Hicks
Coille McLaughlin Hooven
Crystal Morey
Kadri Pärnamets
Elsa Rady
Caroline Slotte
Mara Superior
Toshiko Takaezu
Susan Thayer
Patti Warashina
Beatrice Wood
Elizabeth (Betty) Woodman

Studio Pottery and Design*
Works by
Laura Andreson
Dorothy Hafner
Karen Karnes
Jenny Mendez
Linda Sikora
*available in Ferrin Contemporary square shop

Robin Best, “The Knight of the Lions,” 2016, porcelain with on-glaze Xin Cai, 14.125 x 7.875 x 10.25″.

Christie Brown, “Ghost Portrait” 2015, ceramic, 19 x 10 x 9″.

Caroline Cheng, “Prosperity V” 2007, porcelain, fabric, 71 x 71″.

Claire Curneen, “Mary Magdalene” 2013, porcelain, gold lustre, 22.5″.

Viola Frey, “Untitled Platter”, 1982, earthenware, slip, glaze, 25″. photo: John Polak (Pennington)

Dorothy Hafner, “Teapot, Sugar, Creamer” 1988, porcelain, underglaze.

Coille Hooven, “Second Skin” 1986, stoneware, 14.75 x 6.5 x 5.5″.

Crystal Morey, “New Symbiosis: Pronghorn” 2017, porcelain, 10.5 x 6 x 4.5″.

Kadri Pärnamets, “Question of Honor — Lucretia, after Lucas Cranach the Elder, porcelain, slip, glaze, 11 x 10.5 x 5”. photo: John Polak

Elsa Rady, “Four Zig Wings”, private collection

Mara Superior, “Mother Nature Says, ‘Wake Up'” 2010, porcelain, glaze, wood, pearls, gold leaf, 17 x 22 x 2″.

Susan Thayer, “Return” 2016, teapot: porcelain, china paint, glazebase: lowfire stoneware, slip, 16 x 9 x 5″.

Patti Warashina, “Beating the Housewife Blues” 1977, white earthenware, glaze, 24 x 16 x 13.75″.

Beatrice Wood, “Not Married” 1965, clay, glaze, 16 x 17 x 13″.

Betty Woodman, “Planter” ceramic, glaze, 27 x 5.5 x 8.5″.

“The Women” at Ferrin Contemporary in North Adams, MA. Work by Beatrice Wood pictured.

“The Women” at Ferrin Contemporary in North Adams, MA. Work by Kadri Pärnamets pictured.

“The Women” at Ferrin Contemporary in North Adams, MA. Work by Mara Superior pictured.

“The Women” at Ferrin Contemporary in North Adams, MA. Work by Robin Best pictured.

“The Women” at Ferrin Contemporary in North Adams, MA. Work by Cristina Córdova pictured.

“The Women” at Ferrin Contemporary in North Adams, MA. Work by Kadri Pärnamets pictured.

“The Women” at Ferrin Contemporary in North Adams, MA. Work by Caroline Slotte and Claire Curneen pictured.

The Women

Ferrin Contemporary presents selected works by women artists whose primary medium is clay. On view in the gallery and online, we introduce new works by emerging and established artists along with masterworks available from private collections and artist archives.

STUDIO POTTER: WOMEN IN CERAMICS

Winter/Spring 2017
Women in Ceramics Vol. 45 No. 1

In this issue: nine essays remembering the life of Karen Karnes, a deep investigation of the legacy of women in wood-firing, several narratives about artists’ personal journeys in clay, essays on the lives of California artist Ruth Rippon and Swedish artist Hertha Hillfon, a dynamic discussion of contemporary motherhood, international perspectives from Canada, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and India, a look at fourth-wave feminism, and more.

Click for info on Studio Potter.

Click to request complimentary issue online.

“Ruth Rippon, Her Story”
by Nancy M. Servis

Rippon’s artistic production is extensive and leaves an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of Northern California. … The breadth of her work mirrors the artist herself: technically accomplished, experimental, conceptually grounded, and quietly emotive.

Click here for more.

Artist Salon – Nancy M. Servis
Wednesday, November 8
at 6–8:30 pm

Project Art
54 Main St, Cummington, Massachusetts 01026

Join visiting scholar, Nancy M. Servis, from Sacramento, California, for an image-illustrated presentation ‘State of Clay: Bay Area Ceramics,’ followed by a potluck at Project Art.

From pottery to sculptural expression, Servis unveils the dynamic variety of ceramics found in Northern California. Long recognized as a vital and populous state with extensive clay deposits, California has been the home of refined vessel-makers and artistic rule-breakers for over 75 years, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Her lecture contextualizes clay’s extensive use that includes stylistic architecture in Oakland, impassioned potters like Antonio Prieto and Marguerite Wildenhain from the 1950s, and unabashed practitioners like Peter Voulkos and Robert Arneson. They along with select others like Viola Frey, Ruth Rippon, and Ron Nagle laid Nancy Servis’ groundwork for what exists today – a population of fine artist-makers whose work coexists with those who embrace sculpture or even defy ceramic tradition.

Nancy is a recognized art historian, gallerist, and author. She has served as curator, educator and arts administrator in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for over twenty years.

Click for facebook page.

Aug

2017

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

International ceramic artists interpret the visionary and surreal atmospheres of the masterpiece born of Lewis Carroll’s pen.

ON VIEW

Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Center, Denmark
September 30–October 30, 2016

Alice in Wonderland
Officinesaffi, Milan, Italy
June 22–July 14, 2017

Click to view more work by Sergei Isupov.

Click to view more work by Alexandra Jelleberg.

Click to view more work by Kadri Pärnamets.

Click to view more work by Paul Scott.

Click to view more work by Mara Superior.

Click to view “Architectural Digest” article.

"Alice in Wonderland" on exhibit in Italy.

Mara Superior, “Queen Alice’s Tea Table” 2016, porcelain, 5 x 20 x 10″.

Alexandra Jelleberg, “Half a Dozen” 2016, stoneware, group: 11.5 x 30 x 2″; sculptures: ~11.5 x 4.5 x 2″.

Sergei Isupov, Fire Sculpture

Kadri Pärnamets, “Steam from Tea or (Tea Steam) tribute to Alice in Wonderland” 2016, porcelain, slip, glaze, decals, 17.5 x 6 x 15.25″.

Sergei Isupov, “Hidden Messages” 2016, porcelain, underglaze, glaze, 22.5 x 8.5 x 8″.

Paul Scott, “Scott’s Cumbrian Blue(s), A Flowerbed for Alice,” 2016, in-glaze decal collage on porcelain tiles on a brick structure by Lillemor Petersson. Guldagergård, Skælskør Bygarden, Denmark, 80 x 35.5 x 27.5″.

May

2017

NEW YORK CERAMICS & GLASS FAIR 2017

ABOUT THE NYCGF

New York Ceramics & Glass Fair
Bohemian National Hall, New York, NY
January 19–22, 2017
Click here for more

Bringing together a carefully selected and distinguished international group of around 28 galleries offering all things “fired” — porcelain, pottery, and glass, in a setting perfect for the exhibition and sale of important small objects.

EVENTS

HIGHLIGHTED LECTURES

“The Feminine Clay”
with Shannon Stratton
Friday, January 20, 12 noon

“Things of Beauty Growing: British Studio Pottery”
with Glenn Adamson
Friday, January 20, 4pm

“Buy, Sell, or Give? What Happens When the Kids Don’t Want It”
Panel discussion lead by Leslie Ferrin
Saturday, January 21, 2pm

Click here for more.

May

2017

NEW YORK CERAMICS & GLASS FAIR 2016

NYCGFlogo

ABOUT THE NYCGF

January 21–24, 2016
Bohemian National Hall
321 East 73rd Street, New York, NY 10021

HOURS

Thursday to Saturday 11:00am–7:00pm
Sunday 11:00am–4:00pm (no admittance Sunday after 3:30)

EVENTS

SELECTED LECTURES
Thursday, January 21, 4pm
ANDREW BASEMAN LECTURE: Past Imperfect: The Art of Inventive Repair

Friday, January 22, 2pm
PAUL SCOTT, BOUKE DE VRIES, & LESLIE FERRIN LECTURE: Fragile Beauty: Re-animate, Repair, Meld and Mend

Saturday, January 23, 2pm
STEPHEN BOWERS LECTURE: Ming goes Bling & the Slightly Satirical Aroma of Eucalyptus

Click here for full lecture schedule.

STEVEN YOUNG LEE
Steven Young Lee, "Maebyong Vases" 2016, porcelain, white slip, glaze, 14 x 20 x 14".

KADRI PÄRNAMETS

PETER PINCUS
Peter Pincus, "Vessels" 2016, porcelain, slip, gold lustre, 21 x 30 x 8".

PAUL SCOTT

CAROLINE SLOTTE

MARA SUPERIOR

KURT WEISER
Kurt Weiser, "Seed Collector" 2016, china painted porcelain, 9.5 X 9.75".

ABOUT THE ART OF INVENTIVE REPAIR

MENDED WAYS: THE ART OF INVENTIVE REPAIR
A special exhibition presented by Andrew Baseman

“Before the invention of Krazy Glue, broken household items were brought back to life with flair and ingenuity.” Examples of repaired historic pieces from Baseman’s collection will be complimented with work from contemporary ceramic artists whose work imitates, replicates, or honors the inventive repairs of the past.

Apr

2017

EXPOSED: Heads, Busts & Nudes

group show of ceramic figural sculpture by masters 1965–present originally presented at 1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA, from June 18 to September 5, 2016

WORKS

Cristina Córdova, “De mi isla salvaje (from my wild island)” 2015 installed at Ferrin Contemporary

ROBERT ARNESON*

RUDY AUTIO*

RALPH BACERRA

CHRISTIE BROWN

BETH CAVENER
$Beth Cavener, "Kept - Variation in Smoke" 2016, resin infused refractory material, paint, rope, wooden base, 24 x 12 x 28".$

CRISTINA CÓRDOVA

CLAIRE CURNEEN

STEPHEN DE STAEBLER*

STEPHEN DIXON

JACK EARL*

EDWARD EBERLE*

VIOLA FREY*

ALESSANDRO GALLO

GERIT GRIMM

COILLE HOOVEN

Coille McLaughlin Hooven, “The Object Lesson” 1991, porcelain, 3.75 x 4 x 3.5”.

SERGEI ISUPOV

GEORGES JEANCLOS*

DOUG JECK*

TAKAHIRO KONDO*

MICHAEL LUCERO*

KADRI PÄRNAMETS

ESTHER SHIMAZU*

AKIO TAKAMORI*

TIP TOLAND*

PATTI WARASHINA*

Patty Warashina, "Scrutiny" 2011, glaze, clay, mixed media, 82.5 x 18.5 x 24".

KURT WEISER

BEATRICE WOOD *

* offered from private collections

ABOUT

EXPOSED: Heads, Busts, and Nudes is an exhibition of figural ceramic sculpture from 1965 to the present and features masterworks from estates and private collections alongside recent work direct from artist studios, which was originally presented at 1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA, from June 18 to September 5, 2016.

This group of noted American and British sculptors explores themes that range from social realism to otherworldly surrealism to abstraction of form. The overview illustrates how early practitioners in California’s Bay Area during in the 1960s and 1970s, such as Robert Arneson, Viola Frey, and Stephen De Staebler, continue to inspire artists today. Known for their use of clay in combination with painted glaze surfaces, these artists challenge presumptions and their work defies easy categorization as sculpture, decorative arts, or studio craft.

The exhibit that took place at Ferrin Contemporary’s gallery in western Massachusetts presents a selection of available works by living and deceased artists featured in the accompanying catalog EXPOSED: Heads, Busts, and Nudes. The publication includes an introduction by curator Leslie Ferrin and an informative essay by author and independent curator Mark Leach highlighting the seminal moments and interplay between artists and their mentors.

INQUIRE

CATALOGUE

View the catalog below and click here to purchase print catalog.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

North Adams, MA –

CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER

Ferrin Contemporary | Nov 17 2022 to Jan 28 2023

SHOP

PRESS

PROGRAMMING

PREVIEW EVENT | Oct 1 – 2, 2022

Hilltown Open Studio Tour at Project Art, Cummington, MA

2021 | NATURE/NURTURE II

Opening Reception

Artists Include:

2020 | NATURE/NURTURE

1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams March 4 – June 27, 2020

PRESS & FEATURES:

ONLINE PROGRAMMING:

MORE ON THE ARTISTS

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Installation

Artists Include:

EVENTS

Curator Talk:

In the Exhibition

THE FRICK PITTSBURGH

7227 Reynolds St., Pittsburgh, PA February 17–May 27, 2018

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

INSTALLATION

EXHIBITING ARTISTS

PAST PROGRAMMING

FEATURED WORKS

NYC&G FAIR 2018

Dirk Staschke "Vanitas 1"

THE WOMEN

RELATED NEWS, PUBLICATIONS + EVENTS

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

ABOUT THE NYCGF

EVENTS

ABOUT THE NYCGF

HOURS

EVENTS

ABOUT THE ART OF INVENTIVE REPAIR

EXPOSED: Heads, Busts & Nudes

Hilltown Open Studio Tour
at Project Art, Cummington, MA

1315 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams
March 4 – June 27, 2020

7227 Reynolds St., Pittsburgh, PA

February 17–May 27, 2018