Surface Dreams and Superstructures highlights selected and new works by artist Robert Harrison, celebrated for his ceramic sculptures and architecturally inspired site-specific installations. The work is presented by Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art and is showcased within the Wylder gallery, as well as the museum’s Sculpture Garden. The exhibition explores interactions between the built environment and interior domestic space—real, implied, and imagined. Reused, repurposed, and newly fashioned fragile ceramic works are situated in contrived groupings that ask us to question the meaning and purpose of images and material culture, as well as negotiate the personal experiences we create through these objects.

Surface Dreams and Superstructures is curated by Nicole Maria Evans, Curator of Exhibitions and Collections. Exhibitions at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art are supported in part by the Montana Arts Council a state agency funded by the State of Montana, and National Endowment for the Arts. We are funded in part by coal severance taxes paid based upon coal mined in Montana and deposited in Montana's cultural and aesthetic projects trust fund. Additional funding is provided by museum members and the citizens of Cascade County, Davidson Family Foundation, D.A. Davidson, Horizon Credit Union, an anonymous donor, and Kelly’s Signs & Design.

Related Exhibition Programming:

Reception & Artist Talk | September 15, 2023 | 5:30pm

ARTIST WORKSHOP:
Storytelling with Robert Harrison: China Paint and Ceramic Decals on Porcelain Workshop:

Come spend some time with Montana Ceramic Artist Robert Harrison at PGSMOA. 

Bring your own small selection of vintage or collected porcelain objects or dishes and turn them into individualized pieces of ceramic art!! Let your imagination run wild!! We supply the china paint and ceramic decals. By applying black ceramic china paint and then layering the ceramic decals onto the surfaces, you will transform an already glazed and fired piece into your own individualized work of ceramic art! 

 *all participants are encouraged to bring 2-6 pieces of their own or thrifted porcelain whites 

When: Friday/Sat/Sun: September 22nd-24th

Time: Friday-6-8 pm, Saturday- 10-1, Sunday 11-1
Cost: $125
Class Size: Minimum 6, Maximum 15
Instructor: Robert Harrison 

Robert Harrison is a practicing artist who lives and works in Helena, Montana, USA. He has built his 40+ year career in the site-specific large-scale architectural sculpture realm along with smaller-scale studio activity. He holds BFA and MFA degrees in Ceramics and is a member of the IAC (International Academy of Ceramics, Geneva), WABA (World Association of Brick Artists), RCA (Royal Canadian Academy of Arts) and is a Fellow of NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramics Arts). His exhibition and installation record is extensive and global. His book Sustainable Ceramics: A Practical Guide was co-published by Bloomsbury (London) and the American Ceramic Society (Ohio) in the fall of 2013.  

Robert’s 35+ year association with the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts began in the summer of 1982 as a summer Resident Artist and from 1983-85 he was a full-time Resident Artist. In 1993 he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Bray and served as President of the Board from 1998-2004, overseeing the first capital campaign at the Bray and construction of new year-round resident artists’ studios and resident center. He continues to serve on the facilities committee.