Ceramics can be both an art and a craft. When a potter sits down with a lump of clay, he or she can form it into an abstract, powerful sculpture or a humble, useful bowl. And either way--art or craft--a piece can be beautiful and durable, lasting thousands of years. The ceramics tradition in Japan certainly goes back that far; the Jomon, or "cord-marked," pottery of Japan is among the world's oldest pottery, dating back to at least 12,000 BCE. And since that time, women have been involved in crafting ceramics, though they haven't always received the recognition they deserved. But with a resurgence of interest in individual craftsmanship, female Japanese ceramicists are finally taking their place in the pottery pantheon. See works by 25 of these artists at the Crow Collection's Soaring Voices, an exhibit exploring the shift in Japanese culture that finally allows these women's artistic accomplishments to be lauded. The individual artists draw from a variety of inspirations in Japanese culture, including natural motifs, Noh theater and kimonos of the Edo period. The exhibit is free to the public and is open Tuesdays through Sundays through May 8 at 2010 Flora St. Call 214-979-6430 or visit crowcollection.org.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Jan. 22. Continues through May 8, 2011