Terri Kern (American, born 1964), Seamstress, wheel thrown, hand painted with underglaze, finished with clear glaze, 2 1/2 x 3 in. diam. Photo by Michael Svach.

Resilience: New Ceramic Works by Terri Kern

October 12, 2024–February 16, 2025 | Sinton Gallery and Taft Historic House

What does nature teach us about the ability to embrace, resist, or recover from life’s challenges? Local ceramic artist Terri Kern explores the theme of resilience in her latest creations. Inspired by the natural world, her symbolic works of art tell stories of love, loss, triumph, and hardship: tiny portraits dangle from the mouths of dragons; birds cautiously perch upon spools of thread; cages enclose empty swings. For the pieces in this exhibition, Kern also sought inspiration from a variety of objects in the Taft Museum of Art’s collection, including Chinese porcelains, Italian maiolica, and European portrait miniatures.   

Using wheel throwing and hand building techniques, Kern decorates her intimate narrative works, made from white earthenware, with layers of colors, creating vibrant glazed surfaces. Her award-winning ceramics have been featured in numerous publications and are held in public and private collections throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Kern’s works have also been exhibited internationally, including shows in China, Japan, and Germany. 

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