Pearlware, Polish, and Privilege: Artwork by Paul Scott

When you look at a pretty plate, themes of colonialism, gentrification, and race don't immediately come to mind. But in the LSU Museum of Art's exhibition Pearlware, Polish, and Privilege: Artwork by Paul Scott—traditional ceramics receive a new angle. In his practice, British printmaker Paul Scott uses and explores traditional ceramic processes and decoration of 18th and 19th century mass-produced English wares and tiles. He uses reclaimed ceramic tabelware, removing printed embellishment to replace the idyllic imagery with politically- and socially-charged designs. He also pays tribute to patterns traditionally used on such pieces such as Blue Willow—patterns appropriated from Chinese artisans by early European crafters. Upon first glance, his works could be imagined upon a 18th century high class table setting. But when you look deeper, the stories grow more intricate, and more dark. lsumoa.org.