DiRT Gallery presents - Never Look A Giftshoppe in the Mouth. Ceramic Curios from Charles Krafft's Villa Delirium Delftworks. 2004

Krafft is an internationally recognized ceramicist and painter addressing the iconography of power through whimsical media. His humor jogs the viewer into a space of questioning where entertainment and critique collide.Quotes The New Yorker; "The show's standout is Charles Krafft's 'Porcelain War Museum Project', which recreates the side arms, pistols, and hand grenades of the Balkans conflict in delicate ceramics decorated in delft-style with faux-pastoral designs"POSTMODERN CERMICS says; "Krafft is one of the USA"s most sedittious artists, and plays difficult, uneasy games with content and culture". Charles Krafft¹s life-sized porcelain firearms and grenades, decorated with traditional 17th century Dutch blue and white Delftware techniques have earned him a reputation as trickster, disarming a volatile instrument by making it fragile and beautiful. Included in the exhibition will be Hand Grenades, AK 47's, Smith & Wesson Revolvers and Intratec Semi-Automatics.

Image description from top; Fragmentation Hand Grenade Bud Vase. Hand painted underglaze on porcelain. Life sized and holds water.Assassin's Kit. (Smith & Wesson & Switchblade).Handpainted underglaze and ceramic transfers on porcelain. Life sized and comes in a black velvet lined display case. Biological Warfare Cannister Grenades. Handpainted underglaze and ceramic transfers on porcelain. Life sized.