This summer, Houghton Hall is hosting an extraordinary exhibition by Dame Magdalene Odundo, who is celebrated worldwide for her exceptional ceramic artistry. Supported by the LOEWE FOUNDATION, the show features both established pieces and new creations spanning Odundo’s illustrious 30-year career.
Visitors will witness a major new commission, conceived during Odundo’s residency at the iconic Wedgwood factory in Stoke-on-Trent, showcasing a captivating interplay between her work and the traditional grandeur of Houghton’s State Rooms. Odundo’s art is renowned for its fusion of historical and contemporary influences, exploring themes of diasporic identity and the symbolic significance of objects.
The exhibition includes handcrafted sculptures that evoke the human form, strategically placed to highlight their diverse cultural references. A centrepiece is a monumental ceramic sculpture created using historic Wedgwood moulds, exploring themes of slavery and contemporary activism. In addition, Odundo’s mesmerising glass installation Metamorphosis and Transformation pays homage to ancient Egyptian artefacts and narratives of migration. Her creative method uses traditional techniques to explore the charged role that objects play in intercultural relationships.
Last weekend, Jonathan Anderson, LOEWE’s creative director, hosted a special event at Houghton Hall to celebrate the exhibition. Among the notable guests were Josh O’Connor, Kit Connor, Jeff Goldblum and the artist Anthea Hamilton.
Courtesy of LOEWE
Courtesy of LOEWE
Courtesy of LOEWE
