The Ford Foundation Gallery in New York presents "Body Vessel Clay: Black Women, Ceramics & Contemporary Art," opening September 10, 2025. The exhibition features over fifty works across ceramics, film, photography, and archives, bringing together three generations of Black women artists. It highlights the legacy of Nigerian potter Ladi Dosei Kwali (1925-1984) and traces how Black women artists have transformed ceramics over seventy years. Curated by Dr. Jareh Das, the U.S. debut includes new works by Adebunmi Gbadebo, Simone Leigh, and Anina Major, following critical acclaim at Two Temple Place in London and York Art Gallery in 2022.
The exhibition matters because it challenges dominant narratives in ceramics history by centering matrilineal, Indigenous African pottery techniques and the cultural significance of clay. It honors Kwali's centenary and her role in revolutionizing West African ceramics, while showcasing how contemporary artists continue to disrupt conventions and expand the medium's possibilities. By connecting historical and contemporary practices, the show redefines ceramics as a radical form of expression and highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Black women artists to the field.