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Exhibition

New Work

Tiago Carneiro da Cunha and Klara Kristalova
July 8–October 30, 2011

The latest installment of SFMOMA’s ongoing New Work series highlights the reinvigorated medium of ceramics in recent art practice. Through small, imperfectly finished figurative sculptures, both Brazil-based Carneiro da Cunha and Sweden-based Kristalova invoke the connection of ceramics to children’s crafts with works that recall characters from fairy tales or comic books and formally have the feel of a child’s project. Yet, in each instance, humor and delight give way to troubling visions that subvert innocence and raise unsettling questions.

View the brochure or download a printable PDF.

Learn more about the New Work series.

The New Work series is organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and is generously supported by Collectors Forum, the founding patron of the series. Major funding is also provided by the Mimi and Peter Haas Fund, The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, and Robin Wright and Ian Reeves.

Exhibition Preview

A room with several sculptures, including a ceramic figurine with moths covering its face.
A room with several artworks by Tiago Carneiro da Cunha and Klara Kristalova
A room with several artworks by Tiago Carneiro da Cunha and Klara Kristalova
A room with several artworks by Tiago Carneiro da Cunha and Klara Kristalova
Klara Kristalova, Hole
Carneiro da Cunha, ceramic figure
Carneiro da Cunha, ceramic figure of man in large coat
Kristalova, ceramic figure sitting wearing headdress

New Work: Tiago Carneiro da Cunha and Klara Kristalova (installation view, SFMOMA), 2011

New Work: Tiago Carneiro da Cunha and Klara Kristalova (installation view, SFMOMA), 2011

New Work: Tiago Carneiro da Cunha and Klara Kristalova (installation view, SFMOMA), 2011

New Work: Tiago Carneiro da Cunha and Klara Kristalova (installation view, SFMOMA), 2011

Klara Kristalova, Hole, 2007; The Ovitz Family Collection, Los Angeles; photo: courtesy Lehmann Maupin Gallery; © Klara Kristalova

Tiago Carneiro da Cunha, Garganua Rex, 2009; private collection, Sao Paolo, Brazil; photo: Eduardo Ortega, courtesy Galeria Fortes Vilaa, So Paulo; © Tiago Carneiro da Cunha

Tiago Carneiro da Cunha, Generalidade (Generality), 2009; courtesy the artist and Kate Macgarry gallery, London; photo: Eduardo Ortega, courtesy Galeria Fortes Vilaa, So Paulo; © Tiago Carneiro da Cunha

Klara Kristalova, And Still They Remain, 2009; Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Paris; photo: Carl Henrik Tillberg, courtesy Lehmann Maupin Gallery; © Klara Kristalova