“Smart Planet” is a visual plea for the world to regain its respect for Science and allow scientists, the modern alchemists to continue their efforts to salvage and regain the value of our resources that, hopefully, may restore that which we inhabitants have not yet destroyed.
Mara Superior, “Smart Planet: Homage to Science”, 2009, 20 x 10.5 x 10.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, tin pencil-sharpener (feet). Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Museum of Art (2019.7.2).
Mara Superior, “Smart Planet: Homage to Science”, 2009, 20 x 10.5 x 10.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, tin pencil-sharpener (feet). Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Museum of Art (2019.7.2).
Mara Superior, “Smart Planet: Homage to Science”, 2009, 20 x 10.5 x 10.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, tin pencil-sharpener (feet). Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Museum of Art (2019.7.2).
Mara Superior, “Smart Planet: Homage to Science”, 2009, 20 x 10.5 x 10.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, tin pencil-sharpener (feet). Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Museum of Art (2019.7.2).
Mara Superior, “Smart Planet: Homage to Science”, 2009, 20 x 10.5 x 10.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, tin pencil-sharpener (feet). Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Museum of Art (2019.7.2).
Mara Superior, “Smart Planet: Homage to Science”, 2009, 20 x 10.5 x 10.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, tin pencil-sharpener (feet). Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Museum of Art (2019.7.2).
Mara Superior, “Smart Planet: Homage to Science”, 2009, 20 x 10.5 x 10.5″, high-fired porcelain, ceramic oxides, underglaze, glaze, wood, gold leaf, tin pencil-sharpener (feet). Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Museum of Art (2019.7.2).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
RISD MUSEUM COLLECTION
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
Mara Superior, "Obama White House", 2010, detail.
RACINE MUSEUM COLLECTION
Mara Superior, "A Tea Party", 1985.
Mara Superior, "A Tea Party", 1985.
Mara Superior, "A Tea House", 1988.
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, "Enchanted Wood/ Arbor Vitae", 1993.
Mara Superior, "Afternoon Tea", 1996.
Mara Superior, "Afternoon Tea", 1996.
Mara Superior, "Italia Ti Amo Teapot", 2006.
Mara Superior, "Italia Ti Amo Teapot", 2006.
Mara Superior, "Mates for Life (A Swan's Wedding Day)", 2008.
Mara Superior, "Mates for Life (A Swan's Wedding Day)", 2008.
Mara Superior, "Spring/Tree of Life", 2015.
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
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
Mara Superior, "A Spring Dream Rabbit Teapot", 2008, detail
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.
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