Is it clay? Is it wood? Is it… cake? Ceramics in Asian art can be experimental, ingenious, and sometimes just downright surprising. From vessels that mimic fabric to sculptures that defy what clay should be able to do, artists across Asia have spent centuries pushing this humble material into extraordinary forms. 

Join UMMA Curator Dave Choberka and UMMA Curator of Asian Art Natsu Oyobe for a discussion about the history of UMMA’s Asian Art collection through the lens of clay: how it was shaped, traded, transformed, and elevated into one of the most influential artistic traditions in the world. This 90-minute Subject Matters event uncovers a dazzling history of UMMA’s Asian Art collection.  ​ Featuring special guest Kara Ma, Chinese art research specialist, and UMMA’s program manager for the Chinese Object Study Workshops.