These days, it
seems like ceramics are everywhere?from small, independent galleries and
concept boutiques to major art institutions, auction houses, and fairs.
However, this wasn't always the case. Despite being one of the world's oldest
mediums?dating back at least as far as the Paleolithic era?ceramics have long
been excluded from the status of fine art, often sidelined as craft or design
in the Western art market. But over the past few years, ceramics have garnered
staggering mainstream interest and acclaim, earning their rightful place in the
fine art lexicon alongside painting, sculpture, and photography.
There are a few
reasons for this shift. Meaghan Roddy, the senior international specialist in
the design department at Phillips, explained that "artists who were
traditionally sold in design or decorative art auctions are now being sold in
contemporary art sales and shown in contemporary art fairs, which is helping to
boost their profile and market value." She noted recently spotting.
David Gilhooly's works at Frieze Masters: "It made my heart sing," she said.
In addition,
while ceramic art as a whole is rapidly increasing in market value, it is also
a uniquely accessible acquisition for new collectors. Jeffrey Spahn, a secondary-market ceramics and sculpture
dealer, consultant, and gallerist based in Berkeley, California, explained the
appeal of the medium for both seasoned and first-time collectors. "One of the
reasons that ceramic art is gaining more attention is that a lot of collectors'
walls are already full," he said. "Ceramics bring color and texture and ideas
off the wall and into three dimensions at a whole variety of price points?from
an entry level of $500 to $500,000, and everywhere in between."
Another factor in the growing interest in ceramics is, quite simply,
that they're fun. In a time when daily life is
largely conducted online, the tactility of ceramics is a refreshing change of
pace that, as Spahn explained, can "bring a lot of enjoyment to your life and
to your collection."
The aesthetic, conceptual,
physical, and textural possibilities of ceramics are virtually endless, and the
diverse applications of the medium are continually evolving. To help navigate
this newly blossoming market, we rounded up some tips to consider when
collecting ceramic art.
Look for artists that are breaking the mold
Today, many contemporary artists
are approaching ceramics in new, whimsical, genre-bending, and even tactfully
irreverent ways?from
Bruce Sherman's surrealistic
glazed ceramic sculptures to
Duane Reed, owner of Duane Reed Gallery in St. Louis, Missouri, advised that collectors
ask themselves a simple question: "Does the work tell a story, exude magic, or
make you question space or form?" He pointed to innovators of the medium who
are subverting traditions and breaking rules, such as Steven Young Lee,
whose work alludes to the rich history of ceramic art with meticulously crafted
vase forms that are often punctured and caving in on themselves, or overlaid
with pop culture references.
The field of contemporary ceramics
contains an immeasurable breadth of varied approaches and explorations of the
medium. "As a potential or current collector of ceramic art, it is good to
explore all things, even when the work seems alien to you," said Reed. "Enjoy
the journey of investigation."
While contemporary artists are
continually creating new, trailblazing ceramic works, Reed noted that there are
also many artists that have laid the groundwork. These earlier artists like,
and countless others made tremendous strides in reimagining how we think about
ceramics. Their contributions have only recently begun to break into the fine
art market.
"Auction houses are constantly
finding excellent ceramists from the 1960s, 1980s, even 1890s to 'introduce' to
our audiences," said Roddy, the Phillips specialist. "These are names that are
typically fairly well-known to ceramics collectors, but our aim is to broaden
that audience."
The phenomenal success of recent
auctions?including the December 9th sale of Peter Voulkos's 1958 ceramic work Black Bulerias for $1.2
million?speaks to the extent of this renewed appreciation for these early
20th-century masterpieces. According to Roddy, the key to unlocking this
largely untapped market is doing your research. "Museums and galleries are some
of the best resources for learning and seeing more," she said. "The more you
can see, the better."
Follow institutions that specialize in ceramics
Because ceramic art is so new to the art market, it
can be difficult to determine which works will accrue the most value in the
long term. For those looking for a stable investment, a vetted artist that is
represented by a trusted institution or gallery is the best bet.
In the United States, there are several specialized museums and
institutions with extensive collections of ceramic art. Spahn recommended the
Everson Museum of Art, the Crocker Art Museum, and Arizona State University's
Ceramics Research Center as great resources for learning more about the history
of the medium, which will help to inform collectors regarding any potential acquisition.
For those interested in emerging
ceramic artists, Reed said that the best way to discover new work is to "follow
galleries that pay attention and are dedicated to educating themselves not only
on the artists they are exhibiting, but also to others in the field." He
explained that many contemporary galleries are closely watching revered craft
schools and residency programs, which are "incubation centers for some of the
great artists coming into the field." He also noted that "those [who] work in
clay tend to be?involved in a tight-knit group eager to share and support their
fellow sculptors." This attribute makes discovering and learning more about
contemporary ceramic artists highly accessible.
Social media platforms are another
great way to discover up-and-coming artists. Nana Spears, co-founder of New
York-based contemporary art gallery and studio Ford Makers, believes that
collectors should start by going to galleries and finding work that resonates
with them, and then do follow-up research online. "If you love a gallery and
then you go look on Instagram, you'll see all of their past shows and find an
artist you love," she explained.
Don't be afraid to put ceramics on display?but do take care
Because of their traditional
associations with utility, ceramics make for great household objects. With that
in mind, ceramic works are meant to be put out on display and enjoyed?and
sometimes even used for practical purposes. Fort Makers's recent Planter Show featured a bevvy
of ceramic objects filled with plants, breaking down the distinction between
art and functional objects. As Spears said, "I like setting scenes with my
ceramics. I recommend buying things that you think will enrich your life."
Roddy offered practical advice,
advising ceramics collectors not to smoke. "Years of cigarette smoke in the air
around ceramic artworks can leave a residue and over time," she explained.
"What used to be a brightly colored object can turn it into a dark and dull
one."
And of course, ceramics tend to be
delicate, so make sure that they are displayed in a safe spot.
Trust your gut instincts
Ultimately, the most important factor in collecting ceramics is to
follow the lead of what moves you. "Collectors should always look for work that
speaks to them," said Reed. "The true investment lies in the heart of that
person making the acquisition and how living with the work will enhance their
lives."
In terms of long-term investment pieces, Spears posited that collectors
are, in a way, betting on themselves and simply advised that one ought to "buy
the work that they think is good." In identifying this quality, Spears
recommends finding works that make you feel something different every time you
look at it. She noted that "some of the best art collectors, like Peggy
Guggenheim, have been gut-driven?you just have to trust your gut."
Jillian Billard (2020)