Student Exhibition 2010: Vanity Ware

Ten students. Two display cases. A tableful of ceramics. A baptism of fire!

Our exhibition project was an early opportunity for us to bring together all the interpretation theory we’d learnt thus far and apply it to a range of domestic ceramics from the University’s collections. Ideally our exhibition would dazzle our tutors and attract thousands of creamware-hungry visitors to the Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery. It didn’t… but we did learn a lot about ourselves, the importance of a clear interpretation strategy and the practicalities of designing and assembling an exhibition.

‘Vanity Ware’ focuses on the relationship between the form and function of Leeds creamware 1760-1810. Creamware was produced as a cheap alternative to porcelain. It was used, however, to consume relatively expensive commodities like tea, coffee, chocolate and sugar. Creamware thus represented the social aspirations of the middle-classes and the increased ‘ritualisation’ of their dining and drinking habits.

From this core concept we deliberated and decided upon various methods of interpretation, marketing and display. In general the choice and design of our interpretive information received praise, as did our decision to leave a comments book to collect visitor feedback. Our exhibition could have been improved with a tighter and stronger theme rather than attempting to do and say too much. Curating by committee presented some challenges which often prevented decisive decision making. However it provided a realistic taste of the array of perspectives and interests a curator must consider when designing and assembling an exhibition. Moreover we learnt from each other’s valuable experience, becoming wiser and more considerate as a result.

Vanity Ware will be at the SABG until the end of the year.

Thanks to Abigail, Layla, Hilary and the ceramics group.