Point of View

Oct. 28, 2019 - Currently on view

2nd Floor Landing, Hallie Ford Museum of Art

point of view \ˈpȯint\ ˈəv \ˈvyü\ noun (pl) points of view
1: a particular attitude or way of considering a matter
2: a position from which someone or something is observed

In this exhibition series, we invite members of the Willamette community to share their experience or interpretation of a work of art from the perspective of their area of expertise, study, or research. Each year we offer a new work, and a new "point of view."

In this exhibition, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Willamette University Xijuan Zhou explores a Neolithic Period painted pot from China that is part of the museum’s permanent collection. This remarkable work of art dates back to 3300-2000 BCE and was probably excavated from the Northwest regions of China. Zhou explores the possible interpretations and religious meaning of the vessel’s abstracted form of a “frog person” or dragon, as well as the overlapping pottery cultures that are reflected in this piece.


Financial Support

This exhibition has been supported by general operating support grants from the City of Salem's Transient Occupancy Tax funds and the Oregon Arts Commission.

Image not available

Image not available

"Painted Pot," Neolithic Period, ca. 3300-2000 BCE, Yangshao cultural phase, ceramic with pigment, collection of the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon, gift of Sandra Eskin, 2018.020.003.


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