"Body of Clay: Vernacular Visions and Diasporic Odysseys through Masha Sheinina’s Hands” is a daring exploration of corporeality and identity through the malleable medium of ceramics. Masha Sheinina, born in the Soviet Union (now Russia) and based in California,  presents an intricate narrative where the body becomes both subject and object, a literal and metaphorical "body of clay." 

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Rooted in a feminist ethos, Sheinina’s work transcends traditional boundaries of ceramics to engage with the complexities of female embodiment. Her sculptures juxtapose phallic forms and abstracted representations of female anatomy, interrogating societal constructs of gender, power, and sexuality. Through this interplay, the exhibition challenges viewers to reconsider the narratives embedded in the human form—its vulnerabilities, its strengths, and its role as a vessel of cultural meaning.

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Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in 1987 into a traditional, male-dominated family structure, Masha Sheinina immigrated to the United States in 1991 following the dissolution of USSR. With experiences of the final stages of Communist Soviet life such as the media blackout, either directly or through her family, Sheinina’s practice draws deeply from her memories, familial traditions and power dynamics, and intergenerational resistance. Her work is profoundly influenced by folklore, Jewish religious texts, vernacular traditions, and motifs from Russian literature. By weaving together the threads of diaspora experiences and cultural heritage, Sheinina's ceramics resonate with the enduring narratives embedded in everyday objects, evoking a shared sense of memory and identity.

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Melding cultural dualities, organic textures, and the narrative potential of clay. The show aims to present Sheinina's oeuvre as a dialogue between heritage and transformation, exploring themes of migration, identity, and the human connection to material and earth.