The curated works of Kenyan-born British artist Dame Magdalene Odundo, celebrated for her hand-built vessels which often speak to her cultural heritage, are currently on display at Houghton Hall, one of England's finest historical estates. Taking centre stage is a monumental piece the result of Odundo’s time as the artist in residence at Wedgwood, the iconic British porcelain manufacturer.
Odundo is internationally acclaimed for her distinctive works which transcend conventional ceramic art, blending sculptural aesthetics with functional forms, making her a pioneering figure in contemporary ceramics.
Invited to take part in Wedgwood’s artist in residence programme in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Odundo used the opportunity of her residency to explore the abolition of the slave trade and in particular Josiah Wedgwood’s contribution as a ceramicist and a humanist.
The resulting piece is based on Odundo’s admiration of Wedgwood’s creative and artistic sensibility and reforming attitude highlighted by his advocacy of the abolitionist movement. The concept took inspiration from Wedgwood’s rich archive including historic anti-slavery medallions which were then combined with images of more recent protests in Kenya as well as Wedgwood's correspondence dating back as early as 1745 with anti-slavery campaigner Olaudah Equiano, a freed slave.
The sculpture is a contradiction as it represents the contrast of beauty and brutality. The tiered surfaces are adorned with decorative jasper ornamentation of scenes that explore the legacies of slavery while demonstrating the urgency of contemporary political advocacy and protest.
According to the artist, the piece is a combination of historical perspectives with a special emphasis on storytelling and it is the first time Odundo has used narratives and figures in her work.
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| Wedgwood |
The exhibition is being staged at Houghton Hall which was built in the 1720s for Great Britain's first Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole with the support of the Loewe Foundation, and reflects the rich heritage of the artist and the iconic porcelain manufacturer.
The collection offers visitors a rare opportunity to witness the synergy between Odundo's artistic vision and Wedgwood's storied craftsmanship and provides a fitting backdrop for this exhibition creating a dialogue between the classical and the contemporary. The Loewe Foundation's support has been instrumental in bringing this collaborative exhibition to life.
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