Mara Superior, “Americana: A Collection of Blue Salt-glazed Stoneware”, 2016, detail.

The Pursuit of Happiness, 2012-2014

In 2012, Barry and Merle Ginsburg commissioned Superior to create an all-American tribute to the founding fathers and the best of 18th century American democratic ideals. Completed in 2015, the architectural stacked porcelain commemorative sculpture uses symbols and references drawn from history and decorative arts including miniature presidential portraits, busts, The Declaration of Independence, and an apple pie.

Mara Superior, “The Pursuit of Happiness”, 2012-2014, 27.5 x 25 x 20″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, brass, bone, paper.

32699_Superior, Mara_The Pursuit of Happiness_2012-2014_MS_122314_01_72dpi

32699_Superior, Mara_The Pursuit of Happiness_2012-2014_IMG_0755

32699_Superior, Mara_The Pursuit of Happiness_2012-2014_IMG_0753

32699_Superior, Mara_The Pursuit of Happiness_2012-2014_IMG_0750

32699_Superior, Mara_The Pursuit of Happiness_2012-2014_IMG_0758

32699_Superior, Mara_The Pursuit of Happiness_2012-2014_IMG_0757

RISD MUSEUM COLLECTION

Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010.

Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.

Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010.

Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.

RACINE MUSEUM COLLECTION

Mara Superior, "A Tea Party", 1985.

Mara Superior, "A Tea House", 1988.

Mara Superior, "A Dream House Teapot", 1992

Mara Superior, "A Dream House Teapot", 1992.

Mara Superior, "Enchanted Wood/ Arbor Vitae", 1993.

Mara Superior, "Afternoon Tea", 1996.

Mara Superior, "Italia Ti Amo Teapot", 2006.

Mara Superior, "Mates for Life (A Swan's Wedding Day)", 2008.

Mara Superior, "Spring/Tree of Life", 2015.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BOSTON

Mara Superior, "Land of the Idea", 1986

Mara Superior, "Land of the Idea", 1986, detail 1.

Mara Superior, "Land of the Idea", 1986, detail 2.

Mara Superior, "Land of the Idea", 1986, detail.

FULLER CRAFT MUSEUM COLLECTION

Mara Superior, "A Spring Dream Rabbit Teapot", 2008

Mara Superior, "A Spring Dream Rabbit Teapot", 2008, detail

Mara Superior in "Tending Fires: Recent Acquisitions in Clay", at the Fuller Craft Museum, August 17, 2019 - May 3, 2020.

THE FRICK PITTSBURGH COLLECTION

Mara Superior, "Kangxi Period, Qing Dynasty/A Collection", 2018.

Mara Superior, "Kangxi Period, Qing Dynasty/A Collection", 2018, detail.

Mara Superior Installation in Revive Remix Respond at The Frick Pittsburgh 2017_72dpi

Vase_Kangxi Period_c 1700_The Frick Pittsburgh_1970_2_72dpi

Vase_Kangxi Period_c 1700_The Frick Pittsburgh_1970_1A_72dpi

Vase_Kangxi Period_c 1700_The Frick Pittsburgh_1970_1B_72dpi

CURRIER MUSEUM OF ART COLLECTION

Mara Superior, "My New York", 2004.

Mara Superior, "My New York", 2004

Mara Superior, "My New York", 2004.

THE CROCKER ART MUSEUM COLLECTION

Mara Superior, "Fantasia Teapot", 2007

Mara Superior, "Fantasia Teapot", 2007, detail 1.

Mara Superior, "Fantasia Teapot", 2007, detail 2.

Mara Superior, "Fantasia Teapot", 2007, detail 3.

"Cool Clay: Recent Acquisitions of Contemporary Ceramics", Crocker Art Museum, July 21, 2019-July 19, 2020.

ALBANY INSTITUTE OF HISTORY & ART COLLECTION

Mara Superior "Tulipiers: A Collection of Tulipiere Vases", 2017

THE CHIPSTONE FOUNDATION COLLECTION

Mara Superior, "Piggy Bankers/The Great Recession of 2008", 2009.

Mara Superior, "Piggy Bankers/The Great Recession of 2008", 2009, detail.

THE CHAZEN MUSEUM OF ART

Mara Superior, "Venus of Urbino", 2018

Mara Superior, "Venus of Urbino", 2018, detail.

THE BENNINGTON MUSEUM OF ART COLLECTION

Mara Superior, "Allure a Dream House", 1996

Mara Superior, "Allure a Dream House", 1996.

Mara Superior, "Allure a Dream House", 1996, detail.

Mara Superior, "A Landscape: A Cow", 1985

Mara Superior, "A Landscape: A Cow", 1985.

Mara Superior, "Vermont View", 2005

Mara Superior, "Vermont View", 2005, detail.

THE PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM OF ART

Mara & Roy Superior, "Sea of Plenty", 2008

Mara & Roy Superior, "Sea of Plenty", 2008, detail.

Mara Superior "The Voyeur: Une Fleur Amoureaux, A Flower In Love", 2010

Mara Superior, "A Collection: The Celadons", 2016

Mara Superior, "A Collection: The Celadons", 2016, key.

THE HOOD MUSEUM OF ART COLLECTION

Mara Superior, "America: Danger!", 2018

Mara Superior, "Angelo Da Vendemmia - Castle Vase", 2002

Mara Superior, "Angelo Da Vendemmia - Castle Vase", 2002, detail.

THE EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART COLLECTION

Mara Superior, "A Tea Temple", 1998

Mara Superior, "A Tea Temple", 1998.

Mara Superior, "English Delftware: A Collection of Blue Dash Chargers", 2016

Mara Superior, "English Delftware: A Collection of Blue Dash Chargers", 2016, detail.