Modern art and cubism made Pablo Picasso famous, but ceramic dining ware is what is brings his talent to Louisiana.
The Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette opened the Picasso Edition Ceramics exhibit Tuesday as part of a contemporary sculpture exhibition, said Herman Mhire, museum director.
The exhibition also displays the sculptures of Deborah Butterfield, Sally Heller, Arthur Kern and Lee Littlefield, who were present at the exhibit’s members-only preview Saturday, Mhire said.
Edward Weston, a Los Angeles Picasso collector, has a 200-piece collection of Picasso’s ceramic sculptures, Mhire said.
The exhibit features 65 pieces from Weston’s collection.
The Edward Weston Collection is in its fifth year of a seven-year tour to 25 locations nationwide, said Jeff Landau of Landau Traveling Exhibitions, the company that arranged the exhibit’s national tour.
Landau Traveling Exhibitions organizes exhibits by finding collectors, curators, museums and galleries. In this case, Gerald Nordland, former director of the San Francisco Art Museum, curated the exhibition of Weston’s collection, Mhire said.
The exhibition highlights ceramics made by Picasso with the support of George and Suzanne Ramie at their Madoura pottery studio in Vallauris, France from 1947 to 1971, Landau said.
Landau said that Picasso’s involvement in producing the objects varied, but he always designed the pieces and made the molds for the 633 plates, bowls, vases and pitchers designed in the Madoura studio.
Picasso wanted these ceramic pieces to be accessible and collectible, so he sold them at low prices, Landau said.
These pieces made Vallauris famous for ceramics, with Picasso selling his own works in the town during the 50s and 60s, Landau said.
Weston bought his first Picasso edition ceramic on a 1950s trip to Southern France, became interested, and now has a collection of 200 pieces, Landau said.
“It’s Picasso, and it’s in Louisiana, so it’s just amazing,” Menefee said. “And it’s different to see Picasso sculptures, you mostly only see paintings.”
The works are very accessible, Menefee said.
“They’re under a case but you can see every detail,” Menefee said.
The show has had a tremendous turnout with a wildly enthusiastic audience so far, Mhire said.
“People seemed to really enjoy it and were impressed by it,” Menefee said.
Picasso’s works capture everyone’s attention, Landau said.
“The show has been popular for everyone from preschoolers to senior citizens,” Landau said. “There’s something for everybody.”
The Picasso exhibit will leave the museum March 20, Mhire said.
Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.