Body of Clay: Vernacular Visions and Diasporic Odysseys

The Roastery @ H Foundation for the Arts is pleased to present "Body of Clay: Vernacular Visions and Diasporic Odysseys,” a daring exploration of corporeality and identity through the malleable medium of ceramics. 

Masha Sheinina, born in the United Soviet Socialist Republic (now the Russian Federation) and based in California, presents an intricate narrative where the body becomes both subject and object, a literal and metaphorical "body of clay." Rooted in a feminist ethos, Sheinina’s work transcends traditional boundaries of ceramics to engage with the complexities of female embodiment. Her sculptures juxtapose phallic forms and representations of female anatomy, interrogating societal constructs of gender, power, and sexuality. Through this interplay, the exhibition challenges viewers to reconsider the narratives embedded in the human form—its vulnerabilities, its strengths, and its role as a vessel of cultural meaning.