SALVATORE ARANCIO @ IN THE NAME OF CLAY
50 YEARS OF ITALIAN CERAMIC ART
MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN, RIGA, LATVIA
MAY 30th - AUGUST 23rd 2026
From 30 May to 23 August 2026, the Decorative Arts and Design Museum (10 Skārņu Street, Riga) will present the exhibition “In the Name of Clay: 50 Years of Italian Ceramic Art”, tracing the development of Italian contemporary ceramics from the post-war period to the present day.
For the first time in Latvia, visitors will be able to discover a collection selected especially for Riga from the world-renowned and legendary International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza. The exhibition opens up a new cultural perspective not only on Italy, but also on the international context. It highlights Italy’s unique contribution to one of the most versatile media in the visual arts — ceramics — where sculpture, design and materiality converge. Bringing together works by 50 artists, the exhibition offers an insight into the development of the field over half a century, from its pioneers to the most prominent masters of the 21st century.
The concept is based on the idea of creative “obsession”: an intense and passionate exploration of ceramics that characterizes the practice of the artists represented. This art form has now become a sought-after interdisciplinary means of expression, encouraging public discussion on important issues while inspiring both artists and viewers. The exhibition surprises with innovative ideas, unusual forms and original technical solutions.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see vivid Italian ceramic masterpieces distinguished by their rich variety of forms. The exhibition opens with poetically nuanced compositions by Lucio Fontana, Fausto Melotti and Leoncillo Leonardi, followed by the sculptural experiments of the 1970s and 1980s. The display also features a range of contemporary practices, including works by Bertozzi & Casoni, Salvatore Arancio and Alessandro Roma.
More on: Obsession: 50 Years of Italian Ceramics - Art Museums
