In Superior’s Blue Series, she highlights the cobalt blue and white ceramic tradition that began in China and was the inspiration and foundation of porcelain work in Europe and across the globe. Some of her Blue Series pieces use the classic visual themes and icons of early Chinese blue and white export porcelain, such as waterscapes, pagodas, mountains, and bridges. In other pieces, she uses the cobalt blue and white palette to paint western scenes similar to those found in her multicolored work. Every time she uses cobalt blue, she connects a dot back to the Chinese blue and white tradition and positions herself as a continuation of that tradition in the history of porcelain.
Mara Superior, “The West Playhouse”, 2017, 11.5 x 16.5 x 1″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze. Racine Art Museum.
Mara Superior, “East Platter”, 2018, 12.25 x 15.75 x 1.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold luster. Racine Art Museum.
Mara Superior, “Western Lady Dream Platter”, 2018, 12.25 x 15.5 x 1″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold luster.
Mara Superior, “In the Garden: The West”, 2015, 7 x 9 x 2″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf.
Mara Superior, “A Collection of Canton China”, 2015, 13 x 16 x 2.5”, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf.
Mara Superior, “Kangxi Period, Qing Dynasty/A Collection”, 2018, 12.5 x 15.5 x .5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf. The Frick Pittsburgh.
Mara Superior, “Far Eastern Goddess No.1″, 2016, 16 x 5 x 5”, porcelain, cobalt blue under-glaze, over-glaze enamel, gold leaf, wooden found object.
