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Jane Margarette

1985 Born in San Diego, CA
Lives and works in Los Angeles, CA

About

Images

Exhibitions

NEWS / CV

Jane Margarette Everyone Became Ahngst, 2023

About

Jane Margarette is a Filipino American artist working in ceramics and installation. Her sculptures explore notions of strength, protection, sensuality, and captivity. The various animals and insects in her work, adorned with chains and lures, disguise themselves as mechanical locks that tempt viewers to touch and manipulate the ‘functional’ mechanisms.

Created by traditional slab construction, the interlocking puzzle-like objects Margarette creates also explore architectural motifs such as doors, windows, and gates. There is a surrealist quality present in her work—locks shaped like insects, doors with eyes, baskets of teeth and fruit. Playful with scale, Margarette is not trying to pass these objects off as the real thing, rather as icons glistening in fluid blue and muted pink, they yield their irresistible secrets.

Margarette enjoys the unpredictable alchemy of the glazing process, which introduces an element of surprise and imagination. Unlike painting one can’t control exactly how the final work will turn out; final forms emerge from the kiln—a metaphorical cocoon—transformed into glistening objects.

Jane Margarette (b. 1985, San Diego, CA) received her MFA in Ceramics from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA in 2020 and her BFA from California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA in 2016. She has exhibited her work in solo exhibitions at Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles, CA and 1969 Gallery, New York, NY. She has also exhibited in group exhibitions including Ruttkowski;68, Paris, France; Sargent’s Daughters, Los Angeles, CA; Galerie Wolfsen, Aalborg, Denmark; Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, NJ; and Moskowitz Bayse, Los Angeles, CA. The artist has taught as a professor of Ceramics at Cal State University, Bakersfield, CA and Cal State University, Long Beach, CA. Margarette’s work is in the permanent collection of the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA. In 2023 she will have her first European solo exhibition with Ruttkowski;68 in Paris. Margarette lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.

Images

This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Everyone Became Ahngst." This artwork was created in 2023 and measures 100" x 124" x 24" [HxWxD] (254 x 314.96 x 60.96 cm). Its medium is Ceramics, glaze, embroidery thread and copper wire.
Jane Margarette
Everyone Became Ahngst, 2023
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Everyone Became Ahngst." This artwork was created in 2023 and measures 100" x 124" x 24" [HxWxD] (254 x 314.96 x 60.96 cm). Its medium is Ceramics, glaze, embroidery thread and copper wire.
Jane Margarette
Everyone Became Ahngst, 2023
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Baby B #88." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 15" x 15" x 3" [HxWxD] (38.1 x 38.1 x 7.62 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Baby B #88, 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "A Comforting Squish." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 35" x 59" x 4 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (88.9 x 149.86 x 11.43 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
A Comforting Squish, 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Some Inkling of Forever." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 36" x 40" x 1 ³⁄₄" [HxWxD] (91.44 x 101.6 x 4.45 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Some Inkling of Forever, 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Juice’s Eyes." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 78" x 48" x 4" [HxWxD] (198.12 x 121.92 x 10.16 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Juice’s Eyes, 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "An Assortment of Maladies." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 34" x 26" x 2" [HxWxD] (86.36 x 66.04 x 5.08 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
An Assortment of Maladies, 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "From the Tail of a Comet #1." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 12" x 7" x 10" [HxWxD] (30.48 x 17.78 x 25.4 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
From the Tail of a Comet #1, 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Jam To-morrow, Jam Yesterday." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 47" x 67 ¹⁄₂" x 6" [HxWxD] (119.38 x 171.45 x 15.24 cm). Its medium is Ceramics, glaze, magnets.
Jane Margarette
Jam To-morrow, Jam Yesterday, 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Chase a Rainbow." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 74" x 43" x 5" [HxWxD] (187.96 x 109.22 x 12.7 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Chase a Rainbow, 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "I Must Have Missed You." This artwork was created in 2021 and measures 54" x 46" x 7" [HxWxD] (137.16 x 116.84 x 17.78 cm). Its medium is Ceramics, glaze, magnets.
Jane Margarette
I Must Have Missed You, 2021
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Pie in the Sky." This artwork was created in 2021 and measures 34" x 42" x 3" [HxWxD] (86.36 x 106.68 x 7.62 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Pie in the Sky, 2021
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Miserable with Carefulness." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 67" x 117" x 5" [HxWxD] (170.18 x 297.18 x 12.7 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Miserable with Carefulness, 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Miserable with Carefulness." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 67" x 117" x 5" [HxWxD] (170.18 x 297.18 x 12.7 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Miserable with Carefulness, 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Psychically Milked." This artwork was created in 2021 and measures 79" x 44" x 24" [HxWxD] (200.66 x 111.76 x 60.96 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Psychically Milked, 2021
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "In a Good Way." This artwork was created in 2021 and measures 24" x 37" x 5" [HxWxD] (60.96 x 93.98 x 12.7 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
In a Good Way, 2021
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Too Much Daydreaming Left Me Blue." This artwork was created in 2021 and measures 36" x 70" x 6 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (91.44 x 177.8 x 16.51 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Too Much Daydreaming Left Me Blue, 2021
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Easy Daisy." This artwork was created in 2021 and measures 48" x 18" x 4" [HxWxD] (121.92 x 45.72 x 10.16 cm). Its medium is Ceramics, glaze.
Jane Margarette
Easy Daisy, 2021
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Lazing Through." This artwork was created in 2021 and measures 48" x 33" x 4 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (121.92 x 83.82 x 11.43 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Lazing Through, 2021
This image depicts an artwork by Jane Margarette titled "Latch 3." This artwork was created in 2019 and measures 11 ¹⁄₂" x 25 ¹⁄₂" x 9 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (29.21 x 64.77 x 24.13 cm). Its medium is Ceramics and glaze.
Jane Margarette
Latch 3, 2019

Exhibitions

This image illustrates the link to the exhibition titled Jane Margarette: A Honey of a Tangle

Jane Margarette: A Honey of a Tangle

January 8 — February 11, 2022, La Cienega

News

Meet the Maker | Jane Margarette

The artist finds magic in clay’s ability to “transform itself into different things, expressing both strength and fragility,” she notes. “But I’m pushing what it can do, physically.” Indeed, the monumental scale of some of her slab-built artworks requires her to design a template for each individual one, which she then “puzzles together” to form her creation. —Maile Pingel

Luxe, July 2023

10 Best Booths at Frieze Los Angeles

Spotlighting the sensational sculptures of Filipino American artist  in the Focus section at Barker Hangar, Anat Ebgi’s show-stopping presentation of ceramic works explores issues of strength, protection, sensuality, and captivity. — Paul Laster

Artsy, February 2023

Frieze Los Angeles 2023: 7 Directors Introduce Their Booths

We're thrilled to be presenting the work of Jane Margarette, a young ceramic and installation artist based here. She happened to discover her love for the medium while attending Cal State Long Beach, where she later taught. — Alex Rojas

Ocula, February 2023

A Ceramic Renaissance: Clay and Sculptural Works at Frieze Los Angeles 2023

Continuing the artist’s explorations of strength, protection, sensuality, and captivity, the presentation will centre on a large butterfly shaped lock with four different ‘repaired’ wings.

Frieze, February 2023

Meet Los Angeles Ceramicist Jane Margarette

"I’m fascinated by the coupling of objects from the natural and industrialized worlds. I’m looking for ways to address a seemingly impossible situation in which nature is trapped by our objectification and commodification and has no way of escaping destruction." —Jane Margarette

Voyage LA, January 2023

Cheer Up, Kitten | Interview With Ceramicist Jane Margarette

"The locks symbolize so much for me – keeping something captive or restricted, safe or hidden. And as I mentioned before, by pairing these objects with creatures like butterflies and birds, the work then expands its gaze towards the natural world and the impossible and perilous situation it is in." —Jane Margarette

Art Plugged, November 2019

2022 Emerging Artist: Jane Margarette

Ceramics Monthly, May 2022

Jane Margarette | Pick of the Week

Although there are certainly signals of outside threats and the sculptures largely feature symbols of self-defense, Margarette still manages to make them feel harmless in their absurdity. — Catherine Yang

Artillery, February 2022

Jane Margarette | Oxymoronic Assemblages

While the works faithfully reproduce items one could find in a hardware store, Margarette makes them into something offbeat, unpredictable and surreal. — Jody Zellen

Art Now LA, January 2022

CV

Jane Margarette

1985
Born in San Diego, CA
Lives and works in Los Angeles, CA

Education

2020
MFA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2016
BFA Ceramics, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2023
Ruttkowski;68, Paris, France (forthcoming)
2022
Cheer Up, Kitten, 1969 Gallery, New York, NY
Honey of a Tangle, Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles, CA
2021
Calls From a Dominant Dream, Lainer Gallery, Margo Levin Graduate Art Studios, Los Angeles, CA

Selected Group Exhibitions

2023
QUAQUAVERSAL, GAA Gallery, New York, NY
Mixed Pickles 12, Ruttkowski;68, New York City, NY
The Death of Beauty, Sargent's Daughters, Los Angeles, CA
2022
In the Vast Toothpick Cities of the Future, Make Room, Los Angeles, CA
Watch Me Burn, Ruttkowski;68, Paris, France
Mixed Pickles 11, Ruttkowski;68 Cologne, Germany
Galerie Wolfsen, Aalborg, Denmark
No Butterflies, No Nothing, Leila Greiche, New York City, NY
Fragile: Earth, Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, NJ
Mid Trip, Winston's, Los Angeles, CA
The Views, Moscowitz Bayse, Los Angeles, CA
2021
Reconciliation Vessels, Flux Art Space, Long Beach, CA
2020
Go Outside and Stay Inside, Outside Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2019
Partitia II, Durden and Ray, Los Angeles, CA
Open Relationships GLAMFA, Collaboration with Max Cleary, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
2018
SoCal MFA, Millard Sheets Art Center, Pomona, CA

Awards/Residencies

2022
Hopper Prize Finalist
2021
Honorarium - Grounds for Sculpture Exhibition
2019
Regents Scholarship, UCLA
D’Arcy Hayman Scholarship, UCLA
2018
Department of Art Scholarship, UCLA
D’Arcy Hayman Scholarship, UCLA
Clifton Webb Scholarship, UCLA
Oxman Fellowship, UCLA
2017
Graduate Opportunity Fellowship, UCLA
2016
Elaine Ridder Scholarship, CSULB
2015
Flora McCarty Olsen Scholarship, CSULB
2014
Elaine Ridder Scholarship, CSULB

Selected Press

"Meet Jane Margarette", Voyage LA, January 23, 2023 (Link)
Gemima, Clare. Cheer Up, Kitten Interview With Ceramicist Jane Margarette. Art Plugged. December 2, 2022. (Link)
Jane Margarette at Anat Ebgi. Ceramics Now. January 27, 2022. (Link)
Emerging Artist: Jane Margarette. Ceramics Monthly. May 2022. (Link)
Yang, Catherine. Pick of the Week: Jane Margarette. Artillery. February 3, 2022. (Link)
Zellen, Jody. Jane Margarette 'A Honey of a Tangle' Oxymoronic Assemblages. ArtNowLA. January 23, 2022. (Link)
Jane Margarette. ArtMaze Mag. November 14, 2020.

Public Collections

Crocker Art Museum