Past Exhibition
13 March – 1 June 2014
Bright and bold pots and prints by leading British and international Pop artists are part of this display. It features Picasso’s face plates from the early 1960s; Babe Rainbow (1967) by the British Pop artist Peter Blake;and Turner Prize-winner Grayson Perry’s huge pot, Designer Rebellion (1999), depicting skateboarders. Taking its title from a 17th century posset pot, the exhibition looks at what is meant by the intrinsic value of objects and asks what does ‘the best’ mean? Viewers are met with intriguing objects at every turn as over 80 pots and prints fill the gallery – ranging from a medieval face jug to British Pop artist Richard Hamilton’s 1966 screen print of Marilyn Monroe. The display of both handmade and mass-produced objects also includes an Andy Warhol screenprint Birmingham Race Riot (1964); a Margaret Thatcher teapot made by the creators of Spitting Image, the 1980s satirical television programme; an 18th century medallion worn in support of the abolition of slavery; and Staffordshire ceramics from the famous Wedgwood, Spode and Minton potteries.
Drawn from the collections of Contemporary Art Society member museums across the Midlands in England this display considers the notion of value in relation to fine and applied art and is part of the Whitechapel Gallery’s programme of opening up public and private collections for everyone. Founded in 1910, the Contemporary Art Society supports public museums and galleries across the UK, through acquisitions, gifts, advocacy and advice. This display is conceived in collaboration with the Contemporary Art Society and Arts Council funded Curatorial Fellow Ingrid Swenson hosted by Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
