When Mara Superior first discovered ceramics, she wanted to make an artistic, non-functional object that came out of her training in conceptual art during her BFA in painting. Her first collection platter included miniaturized versions of actual ceramic objects made by students and colleagues in her graduate ceramics program.
Ever since, Superior has been making collection platters commemorating a particular period or form in ceramic history. Each platter includes miniaturized replicas of real objects from that period, such as a famous punchbowl made by John Cornelius. The background platters are made of Superior’s typical English porcelain with Cornwall stone glaze, which she considers to be her material language. However, the miniaturized objects are always made with the same authentic materials and techniques as the original objects, leading her to use stoneware and earthenware techniques that she seldom uses in her other work.
Mara Superior, “Americana: A Collection of Blue Salt-glazed Stoneware”, 2016, 14.5 x 17.5 x 1.5″, platter: high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf; miniature delft chargers: salt-glaze, stoneware. Racine Art Museum.
Mara Superior, “A Collection: The Celadons”, 2016, 14 x 17.5 x 1.5″ (platter); 10.5 x 4 x .5″ (key), high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, celadon glazes, gold leaf. Peabody Essex Museum of Art.
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, “English Delftware: A Collection of Blue Dash Chargers”, 2016, 12.5 x 16 x 1.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, gold leaf. Everson Museum of Art.
