PJ Anderson Exhibits Ceramic Art at Gardiner Museum
The Winnipeg-based artist explores themes of heritage and protection through her sculptural work.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Fine Art
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Ceramic artist PJ Anderson is exhibiting her work at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto and the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco. The exhibition, titled After the Island: Caribbean Canadian Ceramics, highlights the artist's unique interpretation of her heritage.
Why it matters
The exhibition examines the concepts of adornment as a method for resistance, self-definition, and protection. Through her specific choice of materials and motifs, the artist connects her personal Afro-Jamaican and Red River Métis background to broader cultural narratives.
The exhibition showcases works by PJ Anderson, who began her practice in 2009. The featured pieces include Blade Headed Pitcher and Choose, the latter of which was completed in 2019.
The players
PJ Anderson
A Winnipeg-based ceramic artist who explores her Afro-Jamaican and Red River Métis heritage through her work.
Gardiner Museum
A ceramics-focused museum located in Toronto that is co-hosting the current exhibition.
Museum of the African Diaspora
A San Francisco-based institution that is concurrently displaying the exhibition.
Black Artists' Networks in Dialogue
A collaborative organization that partnered to facilitate this multi-venue exhibition.
The details
The works are crafted using smoke firing techniques and metallic oxides, specifically iron and copper. These vessels feature intricate embellishments such as beads and jewels shaped like miniature armour, firearms, and grenades.
Timeline
2009: The artist began her career working with clay.
2019: The artist created the piece titled Choose.
October 2026: The exhibition is currently showing at both venues.
Industry Dynamics
The After the Island: Caribbean Canadian Ceramics exhibition follows a pattern set by collaborative institutional art showcases. This project marks a continuation of broader efforts by museums to feature diaspora-focused ceramic art across international borders.
Art enthusiasts can view these works concurrently at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto and the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco. Visitors should verify local museum hours and admission policies before planning their visit to either site.
The takeaway
The artist utilizes personal heritage to challenge traditional perceptions of ceramic vessels through sharp, symbolic adornment. Visitors can observe how these functional objects are transformed into tools for social commentary and personal defense.
Further reading
Learn more about contemporary trends in the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Winnipeg Free Press.
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