The Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami has one of the richest collections of chinese ceramics outside of China, so it is no wonder that the museum will open on the 9th of June one of the best exhibitions in this field. Titled "Clay and brush : the ceramic art of China", it will be a historic survey of the development of Chinese art of ceramics, from the early creations of the Neolithic Period (7000 - 1700 BCE) to the 21st century, proving that this craft has not only stood the test of time, but it's still popular. All the works come from the museum's permanent collections. The exhibition will be on view until the 2nd of September 2007.
The curators have chosen around 200 pieces and divided the show into three sections : pottery, stoneware, porcelain. The show will not only tell the tale of this craft, but it will also present the changes and developments of techniques, decorations, paint, incising, carving and glaze used. This art has been a part of Chinese history since the earliest time, the Neolithic Period, when the clay was discovered, as well as the techniques for it's use for china. The clay could withstand fire and high temperatures, could be decorated and glazed, and at the end it could hold any liquid, for a long time. This craft became so much a part of Chinese identity that is no wonder that nowadays it bears the name of the country - China.
Several important works have been selected, such as glazed towers (Han Dynasty 220 BCE - 220 CE), a few guardian figures and a horse from the Tang Dinasty (618 - 906), a number of burial urns, beautifully decorated, from the Song Dinasty. A very important object is a full zodiac grouping, made sometime in the Yuan Dinasty (1279 - 1368). For those who prefer traditional china one of the best sets is a small collection of porcelain objects, with rich and colourful decorations, from the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).
The exhibition is completed by a short video documentary, presenting the current manufacturing process in South China.
June 2007
