Week 5 Readings

2. Exhibition page reading: what counts as evidence?

What exhibition texts usually contain

Most public exhibition pages include:

• a “big idea” paragraph (often abstract)

• a short description of materials/process

• artist names, dates, themes, sometimes quotes

• images with captions

Evidence checklist 

When you feel lost, search for evidence anchors:

• material (porcelain, stoneware, slip, glaze)

• process (wheel-thrown, coil-built, casting, firing type if given)

• scale (handheld vessel vs room-scale installation)

• function (tableware, sculpture, architectural ceramic, performance object)

• context (place, community, heritage, technology)

Neutral language guide

Use clear, non-exoticising language:

• Prefer: “symbolic”, “ritual”, “domestic”, “industrial”, “functional”

• Avoid: “mysterious”, “ancient secrets”, “magical East”