12 May - 29 September, 2024
Magdalene Odundo
CERAMICS
The Exhibition
In the summer of 2024, Houghton Hall hosted an extraordinary exhibition by Dame Magdalene Odundo, celebrated worldwide for her exceptional ceramic artistry.
The showcase featured both established pieces and new creations spanning Odundo's illustrious 30-year career. Notably, visitors had the chance to witness a significant new commission, conceived during Odundo's residency at the iconic Wedgwood factory in Stoke-on-Trent. The exhibition was a captivating interplay between Odundo's distinctive works and the traditional grandeur of Houghton's State Rooms.
About the Artist
Dame Magdalene Odundo's artistry is renowned for its fusion of historical and contemporary influences, exploring themes of diasporic identity and the symbolic significance of objects. Throughout the exhibition, Odundo's handcrafted sculptures, often evocative of the human form, were strategically placed to accentuate their diverse cultural references. A centerpiece of the display was a monumental ceramic sculpture, created using historic Wedgwood molds, which poignantly addresses themes of slavery and contemporary activism. Additionally, Odundo's mesmerizing glass installation, "Metamorphosis and Transformation," an evocative tribute to ancient Egyptian artifacts and narratives of migration was on display.
Acknowledgements
Lord Cholmondeley and The Houghton Arts Foundation continue to build a collection of contemporary art at Houghton including a number of site-specific commissions. With links to colleges and public institutions across the region, the Foundation’s aim is for Houghton to become a focus for those who wish to see great art of our time in an historic setting
