Fifty years ago, a painting movement emerged at Papunya in Australia’s Central Desert. It arose with such force and conviction that one could be forgiven for thinking it had existed forever, as though etched from the earth by the slow passage of time. In fact, formed in the aftermath of colonization, the enduring art movement is as much a product of recent historical circumstances as the ancient traditions on which it draws.
Established in Norman by John Frank in 1933, the Frankoma Pottery Company created art that was “both useful and beautiful” and that remains sought after by collectors today in Oklahoma and beyond. This exhibition celebrates a gift from architects Rodolfo Machado and Jorge Silvetti to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art of over 200 iconic pieces of dinnerware and fine art ceramics, showcasing the innovation and craftsmanship of the state’s first commercial pottery manufacturer. The collection illustrates the Frankoma commitment to producing high-quality objects that exemplify its slogan: “for those who like nice things.”
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