Roberto Lugo, Put Yourself in the Picture, 2022, mixed media, 240 x 144 x 324 inches, Courtesy of the Artist; Roberto Lugo, SAMO, 2022, ceramic, 46 x 18 x 18 inches, Courtesy of the Artist, photo: David Michael Howarth Photography
Roberto Lugo (born 1981) is a master of ceramics creating vessels that reference traditional European and Asian decorative arts, historically displayed as luxury items in wealthy homes. His surface treatment is a mixture of traditional design, graffiti, and portraiture, often including the faces of those that history leaves out, focusing his representation on icons from BIPOC contemporary culture and history, as well as more personal works that point to his and his family’s personal experiences.
Concurrent with this solo exhibition, Grounds For Sculpture also presents a group exhibition of works by artists of color who meditate on social, environmental, and individual perceptions of fragility through the medium of clay. Until January 8, 2023, Fragile: Earth predominantly features artists that identify as female and nearly half of the artists in the exhibition are debuting new works.
These exhibitions are presented in partnership with The Color Network, which seeks to advance people of color in the ceramic arts through community-building, events, exhibitions, mentorship, and other resources.
Participating artists: Natalia Arbelaez, Ashwini Bhat, Ebitenyefa Baralaye, Syd Carpenter, Adam Chau, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Magdolene Dykstra, April Felipe, Raheleh Filsoofi, Salvador Jiménez-Flores, Anabel Juárez, Anina Major, Jane Margarette, Mariana Ramos Ortiz, Virgil Ortiz, and Sarah Petty.
