Laurent Craste

Excerpt from a review by Karen Tashkovski

Just when you thought you’d seen everything, you know what I mean?  Derivatives of derivatives of original artwork, materials driven artwork, Abstract Expressionist wanna-bes, etc., you go the The Everson Museum of Art (401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, New York 13202) and this happens…

Laurent Craste is exhibiting his historically accurate vessels, which have been displayed with weapons that have seemingly destroyed them.  The juxtaposition of the delicate gold fleur-de-lis patterned porcelain attacked by actual baseball bats, axes, arrows and the like, is jarring.  It’s just the oddest thing and yet it speaks to the anger that peasants of the past had towards their regal governments.  I guess your reaction will depend on which of the two factions you associate with – are you a have or a have not???

Laurent Craste
Iconocraste au bat VII, 2024/25
Porcelain, glaze, and baseball bat
40 3/4 × 33 5/16 × 14 ¾ inches
Courtesy of the artist