From the Land is an expressive display of contemporary ceramics located outside the Koerner European Ceramics Gallery, serving as thought-provoking introduction to the permanent collection. From the concrete foundations of the museum, to UBC’s history of teaching functional pottery, to the lineage of local artists who have been practicing their craft over decades, clay and ceramics are deeply tied to this land.

The installation draws highlights from the expansive ceramics collections housed at MOA that showcase the breadth of ideas, techniques, forms and cultural expressions in clay. There are more than 5,600 ceramic objects in MOA’s worldwide collection. All these works in clay serve as connectors to diverse histories and ways of seeing. They trace changes in attitude toward cultural identities and the environment around us.

From the Land demonstrates that while contemporary ceramics practices continue to observe conventional forms, new possibilities are also being explored.

The installation is framed by a striking mural depicting clay-rich sediments that can be found in British Columbia, underscoring the deep local connection between the land and the art form.

On display are works by pioneering and notable local artists, including Judy Chartrand, Amy Gogarty, Olea Davis, Gathie Falk, Tam Irving, Wayne Ngan, Laura Wee Lay Laq, and Brendan Lee Satish Tang.

Curator: Carol E. Mayer