the otherworldly forms of ken price's solo exhibition at PoMo in norway
Beyond the Horizon: Ken Price's Otherworldly Forms Light Up PoMo, Norway
American sculptor Ken Price brings his signature blend of bold color and organic ceramics to Norway's PoMo, offering a fresh, otherworldly vision that redefines contemporary sculpture.
A New Chapter for an Iconic Artist
Ken Price, the American pioneer whose work has long been associated with vivid hues and fluid forms, makes a striking debut in Scandinavia with a solo show at PoMo, Norway. The exhibition, titled Otherworldly Forms, gathers recent pieces and rare early works, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of Price's ceramic practice from the 1960s to today.
The Language of Color and Clay
Price's sculptures are built on a simple premise: let the material speak. By hand-building porcelain and stoneware, then immersing the pieces in saturated acrylic pigments, he creates objects that seem to hover between the natural and the fantastical. The Norwegian setting amplifies this tension; the cool, muted light of the fjord-side gallery contrasts with the luminous surfaces of the works, making the colors appear to glow from within.
PoMo's Architectural Dialogue
PoMo, a contemporary art space housed in a repurposed industrial building, offers an ideal backdrop for Price's installations. The museum's high ceilings and exposed concrete walls echo the sculptor's own interest in raw, unfinished textures. Curator Ingrid Løken has arranged the pieces in a flowing sequence that encourages viewers to move through the space as if navigating an alien landscape.
Highlights from the Show
"Nebula" (2022) - A towering, asymmetrical vessel glazed in a gradient of teal to magenta, evoking a distant galaxy.
"Liminal" (1978) - One of Price's early experiments with slip casting, its matte white surface is punctuated by a single, bold orange band.
"Echoes" (2020) - A cluster of interlocking discs, each painted a different shade of turquoise, that together form a kinetic, almost musical rhythm.
Why It Resonates Now
The exhibition arrives at a moment when the art world is re-examining the role of materiality in a digital age. Price's tactile, pigment-rich sculptures remind us that physical objects can still provoke wonder and emotional response. Moreover, his long-standing commitment to color as a structural element offers a fresh perspective on how pigment can shape form, not merely decorate it.
Reception and Future Prospects
Early reviews praise the exhibition for its immersive quality and for positioning Price alongside contemporary Scandinavian sculptors who also explore the intersection of nature and abstraction. Critics note that the show's success could pave the way for more cross-continental collaborations, bringing American post-minimalist aesthetics to new audiences.
Looking Ahead
PoMo plans to extend the exhibition through the winter, adding a series of new works that explore reflective surfaces and light interaction. For collectors and scholars, the show provides a rare opportunity to study Price's process up close, from the initial hand-building to the final glaze.
Ken Price's Otherworldly Forms is more than a retrospective; it is a dialogue between material, color, and space that invites viewers to contemplate the boundaries of sculpture in the 21st century.
Ken Price's solo exhibition Otherworldly Forms opens at PoMo in Norway, showcasing his signature blend of vivid color and organic ceramics. The show underscores the relevance of tactile sculpture in a digital era and positions Price alongside contemporary Scandinavian artists.
- Ken Price's vibrant ceramics create a dialogue between material and color.
- PoMo's industrial architecture amplifies the otherworldly quality of the works.
- The exhibition signals growing cross-continental interest in post-minimalist sculpture.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of Ken Price's exhibition at PoMo?
The show highlights Price's exploration of color and form through hand-built ceramics, presenting both recent pieces and early works that illustrate his artistic evolution.
When does the exhibition run?
The exhibition opened in early June 2024 and will remain on view through February 2025, with a winter extension featuring new works.
Why is the exhibition significant for the Scandinavian art scene?
It introduces a seminal American sculptor to a Nordic audience, fostering dialogue between Price's post-minimalist approach and the region's own focus on materiality and landscape.
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