Dame Magdalene Odundo

12 May-29 Sep 2024

Overview

This summer, Houghton Hall will host an extraordinary exhibition by Dame Magdalene Odundo, celebrated worldwide for her exceptional ceramic artistry.

The showcase will feature both established pieces and new creations spanning Odundo's illustrious 30-year career. Notably, visitors will have the chance to witness a significant new commission, conceived during Odundo's residency at the iconic Wedgwood factory in Stoke-on-Trent. The exhibition promises a captivating interplay between Odundo's distinctive works and the traditional grandeur of Houghton's State Rooms.

Dame Magdalene Odundo's artistry is renowned for its fusion of historical and contemporary influences, exploring themes of diasporic identity and the symbolic significance of objects. Throughout the exhibition, Odundo's handcrafted sculptures, often evocative of the human form, will be strategically placed to accentuate their diverse cultural references. A centerpiece of the display will be a monumental ceramic sculpture, created using historic Wedgwood molds, which poignantly addresses themes of slavery and contemporary activism. Additionally, visitors will marvel at Odundo's mesmerizing glass installation, "Metamorphosis and Transformation," an evocative tribute to ancient Egyptian artifacts and narratives of migration.