William Daley: Vesica Explorations
The exhibition featured a selection of significant works Daley produced after completing over 30 years on the faculty of The University of the Arts, Philadelphia in 1990.
Bill Daley, who passed away in 2022, was internationally acclaimed for his visually complex slab-built ceramic vessels. His architectonic forms explored varied relationships between interior and exterior geometries. Synthesizing ancient spiritual symbols and elements of sacred architecture, especially the vesica form of overlapping circles, Daley’s vessels are both iconic and inventive. They speak to the human need for what is both specifically authentic and universal.
Viewers will note that one work, Turner's Court (1983), was produced prior to 1990. This vessel was made in honor of ceramic artist Robert Turner (1913–2005), Daley’s close friend and Swarthmore alumnus, and is included as a tribute to Mr. Turner.
The exhibition also included four ceramic tablets, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (1994). These tablets are commissioned studies for the liturgical furniture at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The images are derived from the Gospel figures as depicted in The Book of Kells, (c. 800), the illuminated Celtic manuscript, where the Apostles are depicted as the perfect man, the oxen, the lion, and the eagle.
William Daley, Vesica Explorations and the accompanying catalog were made possible through a grant from the William J. Cooper Foundation. We also wish to acknowledge the generous support of Carol Lorber ‘63 and Bennett Lorber ‘64. This exhibition was also made possible through the leadership of Syd Carpenter, Professor of Art and Chair, Swarthmore College (at the time of this show in 2009).
The extended Daley family provided invaluable support. We especially appreciate the organizational expertise of Thomas Daley, Barbara Daley Schwab, Charlotte Daley, and Sara Jane Daley ’10. We would also thank the individuals who have generously lent their works for public appreciation, as noted in the catalog.
