May 7, 2025

Porcelain Garden: Vladimir Kanevsky at The Frick Collection, through October 6, 2025

“In honor of the reopening of The Frick Collection’s renovated Fifth Avenue buildings on April 17, 2025, the museum presents an installation of commissioned porcelain sculptures throughout its restored and newly built galleries. The display pays homage to a historical detail from the Frick’s original debut, which featured carefully curated floral arrangements—personally selected by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder—that enhanced key galleries when they were unveiled to the public in December 1935. Inspired by her vision, this tradition is now reimagined with an installation of porcelain sculptures by artist Vladimir Kanevsky (b. 1951, Ukraine). Shown on both levels of the original Frick mansion, including in a suite of new second-floor galleries open to the public for the first time, the nineteen lifelike installations by Kanevsky will remain on view for six months.” — The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. 1951, Ukraine). Cascading Roses, 2024–25. Installed in the Fragonard Room of The Frick Collection, New York. Parian body, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Vladimir Kanevsky (b. 1951, Ukraine). Cherry Blossoms, 2024–25. Installed in the Oval Room of The Frick Collection, New York. Parian body, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Vladimir Kanevsky (b. 1951, Ukraine). Lemon Tree, 2024–25. Installed in the Garden Court of The Frick Collection, New York. Soft-paste porcelain, parian body, glazes, and copper. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Vladimir Kanevsky (b. 1951, Ukraine). Tulip Stems, 2024–25. Installed in the Du Paquier Passage of The Frick Collection, New York. Soft-paste porcelain, glazes, overglaze, and copper. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Vladimir Kanevsky (b. 1951, Ukraine). Pomegranate Plant, 2024-25. Installed in the Gold-Grounds Room of The Frick Collection, New York. Soft-paste porcelain, glazes, copper and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Vladimir Kanevsky (b. 1951, Ukraine). Black Poppies, 2024-25. Installed in the Walnut Room of The Frick Collection, New York. Soft-paste porcelain, black porcelain, glazes, copper and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.

“As we reopen the Frick after a five-year closure, it felt only fitting to celebrate the occasion in a similar fashion to the 1935 opening,” stated Xavier F. Salomon, Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator, who organized the installation. “Vladimir Kanevsky’s exquisite porcelain creations allow us to honor this tradition—along with the museum’s important collections of historic porcelain and ceramics. His artistry bridges past and present, echoing the museum’s longstanding dedication to beauty and innovation.” 

Adds Kanevsky, “It is an honor to have my work featured during and beyond the Frick’s reopening celebrations. The museum, both presently and throughout its history, is an endless source of inspiration.

Title image: Vladimir Kanevsky (b. 1951, Ukraine). Camellia Branches, 2024–25. Installed in the Library Gallery of The Frick Collection, New York. Soft-paste porcelain, glazes, and copper. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.

Images courtesy The Frick Collection.