Ken Price’s “Alien Terrain” Exhibition Captures Otherworldly Ceramic Forms at Norway’s PoMo

The Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art (PoMo) in Trondheim, Norway, is currently hosting “Alien Terrain,” a compelling solo exhibition dedicated to the works of the late American artist Ken Price. The show features a collection of his experimental ceramic sculptures, highlighting his distinctive methodology and vibrant use of color that imbue his creations with an otherworldly quality.

Aesthetic Environment

The exhibition space at PoMo has been deliberately designed with a predominantly white interior. This minimalist approach serves to unify the various elements within the museum, including ornate Ionic columns, exhibition plinths, and arched windows. Against this neutral backdrop, Price’s ceramic works—described as “globules of ceramic that bulge and stack in a fantastic mix of colors”—become the focal point, amplified by the stark environment. This presentation enhances the surreal and fantastical nature of his art.

Surreal and Sci-Fi Comparisons

The juxtaposition of Price’s sculptures within the museum’s architectural setting naturally invites comparisons to surrealist science fiction cinema. Works like “Cheeks” (1998), crafted from fired and painted clay, exemplify Price’s meticulous attention to form. The sculpture’s undulating wrinkles and bumps, combined with a speckled finish that appears peachy pink from a distance, create a fleshy, almost alien-like texture. The cavities within the piece can evoke a navel or the entrance to an uncanny ear, prompting questions about origin and reality, as if the pieces themselves could have emerged from another planet.

Exploration of Form and Material

In “Crookton” (2006), thick, silvery forms stack upon each other, reminiscent of rolls of fat on a creature or a peculiar substance accumulating like a stalagmite in an alien cave. As viewers move around the sculpture, new forms and contours emerge, offering glimpses into the artist’s creative process. Price’s mastery of ceramic flexibility and his subversion of conventional forms challenge perceptions of what the medium is capable of.

Another notable piece, “Chicton” (2009), clearly demonstrates Price’s signature technique. Its smooth finish is adorned with ringed dots of color that repeat in varying sizes across the surface. This effect is achieved by applying multiple layers of paint and then sanding them down to reveal the strata beneath, creating a dynamic visual rhythm that lends a lifelike texture to his works.

Artist’s Context and Inspiration

Born in Los Angeles, California, Ken Price later made his home in Taos, New Mexico, after a visit with his friend, actor and filmmaker Dennis Hopper. The latter half of his life was spent in the expansive landscape of New Mexico, a setting that seemed to foster his artistic practice. During the late 20th century, the United States was captivated by the Cold War space race, and New Mexico, with its vast deserts, was often associated with tales of alien encounters.

Price’s sketches, often depicting landscapes in psychedelic colors, suggest an inseparable connection between the mystical atmosphere of his home and his approach to shape and color. His passion for jazz music is also frequently cited as an influence, providing a sonic backdrop to his extensive drawing sessions and contributing to the improvisational, energetic quality found in his work. These sketches sometimes feature smoothly knotted, spiraling, and wavy forms, mirroring the sculptures in “Alien Terrain,” emerging from mountainous landscapes rendered in vibrant watercolor splashes that suggest otherworldly blueprints.

The “Alien Terrain” exhibition, by presenting these abstract and mystical sculptures from throughout Price’s career, effectively draws a connection between the artist’s life experiences and his artistic output. Much like his life in New Mexico was integral to his identity, the colorful, unique masses that became his hallmark are deeply intertwined with his perception of the world. Through these uncanny forms that ignite the imagination, Price transports his audience to realms beyond the familiar.

Key facts:
| Feature | Detail |
|—————–|———————————————|
| Exhibition Name | Alien Terrain |
| Artist | Ken Price |
| Location | PoMo, Trondheim, Norway |
| Dates | June 25, 2026 – January 3, 2027 |
| Collaborators | The Ken Price Estate, Matthew Marks Gallery |

This exhibition offers Paionia7 readers a look into the innovative use of ceramics in contemporary art, showcasing how an artist’s environment and influences can translate into unique, imaginative forms that push the boundaries of sculpture.

Source: https://www.designboom.com/art/otherworldly-ken-prices-solo-exhibition-pomo-norway/

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