Philadelphia International Tea Bowl Exhibition
For five millennia, tea has been cultivated, curated, and consumed. From its origins in Asia and use as a medicinal potion to the daily drink it is today, it has influenced every civilization around the world. In Japan, among other cultures, the tea ceremony has been elevated to an art of its own. The ceremony emphasizes the beauty of simplicity, the appreciation of nature, and the cultivation of mindfulness. Central to this ceremony is the tea bowl—the perfect vessel.
A Sculptural Universe celebrates ceramic art as part of the Philadelphia International Tea Bowl Exhibition, on view February 4th through March 4th at the Community Arts Center in Wallingford, PA. Curated by local ceramic artist Mark Tyson, it includes three hundred objects from more than sixty artists. This is a follow-up to an exhibition at CAC in 2020 “that was more broadly about wood-fired ceramics, but included a large number of tea bowls,” says Paul Downie, Executive Director of the Community Arts Center. “When we saw the response to the tea bowl component of the show we decided to do a follow-up show that is focused on tea bowls and tea wares.”
It is a special thing to sit with your favorite tea bowl that fits perfectly in your hands and have a cup of freshly brewed tea. The beauty of the tea bowl is that it is “a little work of art you can use,” says Tyson. Tea has the ability to “bring people together and erase the lines in between,” he says, both in tea ceremonies and more casual settings.
There are many special components to the exhibition beyond the artistry of the ceramics on display. “We are constructing a temporary Japanese tea room in the center of the gallery,” says Downie. “There will be tea
demonstrations throughout the run of the show, ranging from simple walk-in experiences to longer, more formal experiences.” Tea ceremony demonstrations will be performed by Urasenke Philadelphia in various forms, including Chado and Chaji, giving guests the chance to participate in the ceremony and enjoy a cup of matcha along with traditional sweets. Visitors are invited to get hands-on at Tea Bowl workshops taught by several participating artists (prior registration required).
Creating the perfect tea bowl requires careful consideration by ceramic artists. The tea bowls in the show take many forms, as every artist has their own perspective. But the common factor is the feel of the product. They require balance, perfect weight distribution, and a certain quality of comfort in the user’s hand. As Tyson notes, “the quest for the perfect tea bowl never ends.” Other objects in the show, including water jars, incense burners, tea cadres, and various pieces used in tea ceremonies round out the presentation.
Above all, this exhibition is a celebration of the long history of tea in many cultures. “The tradition of tea in Japanese culture is very deep and rich, and intersects with the world of ceramics, which is also complex and wonderful,” says Downie. “We are honored and pleased to present an exhibition exploring this intersection.”
A Sculptural Universe is part of the Philadelphia International Tea Bowl Exhibition at the Community Arts Center. The show is on view from February 4th to March 4th. The schedule for tea demonstrations as well as Drop-In Tea Times presented by Urasenke Philadelphia (PhillyTea.org) is available online. Reservations in advance for the tea ceremonies is suggested.
The Community Arts Center is located at 414 Plush Mill Road in Wallingford, PA. More information can be found online at CommunityArtsCenter.org.
About Victoria Rose
Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.
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