Robert Arneson, ‘Untitled (Urinal),’ c. 1963. Glazed ceramic, 46 3/4 x 23 x 13 1/2 inches.
Photo: M. Lee Fatherree.
Wonderful to see that Robert Arneson's sculpture has been permanently installed at the San Jose Museum of Art, California, in a gallery celebrating SJMA’s collection as both a gift to and a product of its community.
This work by Arneson is one of a number of ‘toilets’ dating from the early 1960s. His inspiration for the work stemmed from an invitation to participate in an exhibition of contemporary ceramics on the roof of Kaiser Industries, Oakland in 1963. “Suddenly,” Arneson recounted, “I had to present myself with my colleagues, how was I going to stand up amongst them?” Considering his legacy as a ceramic artist while in the bathroom, it finally came to him: “hey, man, you’re on it. This is it. This little pot has no heritage… at it is 100% ceramic!”
See Arneson’s ‘Untitled (Urinal)’ at the San Jose Museum of Art, CA, on long term view.