The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) in Spokane, Washington had a display of two works by Patti Warashina (1940 - ) which the museum had recently acquired. Warashina grew up in Spokane and spent 30 years teaching at the University of Washington’s School of Art. In 2020 she was awarded the Smithsonian Visionary Artist Award.
According to MAC:
“With shocking, yet entertaining works, Patti Warashina is recognized nationally for her significant contributions to the development of ceramic sculpture and her work to redefine the boundaries of sculpture in this art form. Her art is informed by her roles as a woman artist and a working mother, as well as her wry sense of humor.”
Kiln with Plumbing, 1971
Low-fire clay, underglaze, luster.
According to MAC:
“The kiln (a special over for hardening clay), and the fire within the kiln is at the heart of ceramics for many artists. Warashina’s kilns were jokes about the ‘cult of the kiln’ and its often outsized association with masculinity. For this kiln, she exaggerated its mechanics with gaudy plumbing. The top lifts off to reveal a single, delicate vessel within.”
Warashima writes:
“When I was in school, the conversations about kiln construction and BTUs were aimed at men. It was assumed that women were china painters…while the clay world belonged to the men…In reaction to this macho attitude, I started making my own kilns!”
“Snow Bird” Sake Set, 2004
Porcelain, underglaze, glaze. This is from the Drunken Power Series, 2004-2007.
According to MAC:
“The Drunken Power series evokes Warashima’s Japanese heritage while also focusing on gender issues. In Japanese culture, serving tea or sake is associated with women’s work, with the home, or with welcoming. The sake sets in the Drunken Power series were more interactive than the artist’s earlier work; it ws important to her that the sets be functional and accessible. Each of these stumps can be turned over and used as a sake cup.”
More museum exhibitions
Museum of Arts and Culture: Wood sculpture by Humaira Abid (museum exhibition)
Museum of Arts and Culture: Threshold India (museum exhibition)
Museum of Arts and Culture: The illustrations of N.C. Wyeth (museum exhibition)
DreamWorks: Kung Fu Panda (museum tour)
Portland Art Museum: Frida Kahlo, mestiza artist (museum tour)
Missoula Art Museum: United by Atrocity (photo diary)
Museums 101: Japanese internment camp art (photo diary)
Museum of Glass: Glass animals and birds (photo diary)