(Columbus, OH) – Columbus Museum of Art will present Pablo Picasso: 25 Years of Edition Ceramics June 10 through September 11, 2016. The exhibition complements CMA’s special exhibition Picasso: The Great War, Experimentation and Change, which is on view simultaneously. Internationally famed for his paintings, sculpture, and graphics, Pablo Picasso was long intrigued by ceramics. After seeing the works of the Madoura potters at a crafts fair in 1946, he asked Georges and Suzanne Ramie, who operated the studio, to provide him with the opportunity to work with them.
This exhibition features ceramic pieces created by Pablo Picasso in collaboration with George and Suzanne Ramie and the artisans at their Madoura pottery workshop in Vallauris, Southern France, between the years 1947 and 1971. The themes of collaboration and creative process that recur throughout the exhibition are particularly relevant to CMA, where we celebrate the process and results of creativity.
From 1947 to 1971 the Ramies set aside space in their studio for Picasso to pot whenever he pleased. In return, Picasso allowed the Ramies to make and sell editions of ceramic pieces he produced at Madoura, and to retain all profits. Picasso personally made thousands of individual ceramic pieces. He kept virtually all of his own thrown pieces, most of which are now owned by his family or by museums.
Over the years Picasso and the Madoura studio produced 633 different plates, bowls, vases and pitchers, in limited editions ranging from 25 to 500. Picasso’s involvement in producing the objects varied. Sometimes he made the clay molds used for designs, while other times he painted on plates or pitchers taken from the drying racks. Picasso and Madoura artisans then finished the prototypes and produced the editions.
Landau Traveling Exhibitions of Los Angeles, CA, organized the exhibition and the national museum tour. Over the past 30 years Landau Travelling Exhibitions has presented more than 500 fine art and architecture exhibitions at museums and universities throughout the world.
Columbus Museum of Art creates great experiences with great art for everyone. The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Nationwide Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, and the Henry D. and Carol B. Clark, Hermann Vorys, Fred Sands Family, Sayre Charitable, and James W. Overstreet funds of The Columbus Foundation provide ongoing support. CMA, Schokko Art Café, and the Museum Store are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and until 9:00 pm every Thursday. Museum admission is $14 for adults; $8 for seniors and students 6 and older; and free for members, children 5 and younger. Admission is free for all on Sundays. CMA Free Sundays presented by PNC Arts Alive is made possible through a grant from PNC Foundation. For additional information, call 614.221.6801 or visit www.columbusmuseum.org.
