Download PDF scan of original article

Renewed interest among artists in ceramic sculpture is in evidence across the Bay Area, with major exhibitions of adventuresome work on view at the Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis (Kathy Butterly), di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art (Viola Frey), the Contemporary Jewish Museum (Annabeth Rosen) already ongoing, and more to come.

Amid the museum shows, galleries, too, are paying notice. The latest example is “Puabi’s Greatest Hits” at Guerrero Gallery, a presentation of new work by Maryam Yousif. The Baghdad-born San Franciscan combines the influence of two heritages, ancient Sumer and the Bay Area ceramic art revolution of the mid-20th century, to unearth objects from a royal tomb that exists only as a fantasy she shares with viewers.