Imagined Vessels: Ceramics by Paz G, Liz Hernández, Cathy Lu, Maria Porges, and Maryam Yousif

In Imagined Vessels, five artists engage with one of humanity's oldest crafts to investigate and celebrate cultural hybridity. The ceramic and clay works seen here redefine cultural histories from new perspectives, melding mythology with pop culture, ancestral roots with lived experiences, and timeless technique with innovative shape.

Paz G combines a spiritual and studio practice to create sculptures infused with song and protest. Deeply influenced by Mexican craft techniques, Liz Hernández's work explores the rich language of materials. Cathy Lu's works address the legacy of Chinese art objects, disrupting common conceptions of what it means to be Asian American. Maria Porges applies her knowledge of the history of ceramics by creating drawings and sculptures that combine attributes from across cultures and time. Maryam Yousif's sculptures use imagery from her Persian heritage to create colorful figures informed by Mesopotamian mythology and pop culture.

Considering topics such as migration, protest, identity, folklore, or ancient practices, each piece speaks to the complexity of imagining how culture is manifested in art. Ultimately, the vessels they create tell stories that remind us of the interconnectedness of cultures.

Imagined Vessels is presented by USF's MA in Museum Studies Curatorial Practicum class led by Professor Paula Birnbaum.