The Impact of Black Women Ceramicists on Art History

An art exhibition at the Ford Foundation Gallery explores the powerful impact of Black women in ceramics, showcasing the work of several generations of artists. Titled “Body Vessel Clay: Black Women, Ceramics & Contemporary Art”, the exhibition features pioneering figures like Ladi Dosei Kwali, who began her career in Nigeria in the mid-20th century. Her creations, recognized globally, laid the foundation for future artists by blending traditional and modern pottery techniques.

The exhibition portrays how Kwali’s influence extended to subsequent artists such as Halima Audu and modern practitioners like Magdalene Odundo. Audu’s work integrates indigenous styles with contemporary pottery, while Odundo’s pots reinforce the legacy with their sculptural innovation. Contemporary artists like Simone Leigh and Adebunmi Gbadebo continue this tradition, drawing inspiration from historical techniques to convey powerful narratives of identity and heritage.

The exhibition emphasizes the continuity and evolution of Black women’s artistic expression in ceramics, highlighting how these artists have historically utilized clay to document cultural narratives, challenge societal norms, and explore themes of identity, memory, and place. Through this curation of art, curator Jareh Das captures the evolution and ongoing relevance of Black women’s contributions to contemporary ceramics, celebrating the intersection of art and history. The exhibition runs through December 6 at the Ford Foundation Gallery in Manhattan.