Meet the Artist—Oliver Beer on Vessel Orchestra

Beer discusses the process and inspiration of his sound installation Vessel Orchestra.

Go behind the scenes with artist Oliver Beer as he discusses the process and inspiration for the creation of his sound installation Vessel Orchestra, which features a diverse selection of sculptures, utilitarian containers, and decorative objects from the Museum's collection.


Contributors

Oliver Beer

A warm pastel sketch depicts a woman and a child reading a book on an armchair.
Discover how Wilson’s illustrations for children’s literature emphasized the importance of representation.
Jeary Payne and Jason Reynolds
January 22
A small wooden carved box featuring figures and a tree in relief.
The author of After Sappho offers a queer feminist reading of Eve and the serpent, reimagining sin as likeness, desire, and bodies transcending gender and species.
Selby Wynn Schwartz
January 9
A tall, colorful stained-glass window depicting a forested landscape with flowing water and autumnal trees.
Celebrate Member Appreciation Week 2026 with a selection of 10 artworks recommended by the Membership team.
January 1
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The Virgin, Andrew O'Connor  American, Bronze, American
Andrew O'Connor
1906, cast 1909
Mrs. Olin Levi Warner, Olin Levi Warner  American, Bronze, American
Olin Levi Warner
Founder Cast by Tiffany & Co.
1886–87, cast 1897–98
Vase with archaistic patterns, Porcelain with gilding relief decoration over green enamel (Jingdezhen ware), China
China
mid-18th century
Vase with performance of dragon boat, Porcelain painted with overglaze polychrome enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China
China
late 17th–early 18th century
Ewer, Franchi and Son, Silver on base metal, British, London, after British, London original
Manufacturer Franchi and Son
19th century, after 1617–18 original
Ewer, Franchi and Son, Electroformed copper, silver plated and gilt, British, London, after Flemish, Antwerp original
Manufacturer Franchi and Son
19th century, after 1558–59 original
Guild vessel, Pewter, German
German
19th century
Measure, Carl Adolph Ferdinand Heidorn  German, Pewter, German, Lübeck
Carl Adolph Ferdinand Heidorn
1854–93
Cooking pot, Ceramic, Israelite
Israelite
ca. late 8th–7th century BCE
Spouted jar, Ceramic, paint, Iran
Iran
ca. 9th–7th century BCE
Vessel in form of female (?) figure, Ceramic, Iran
Iran
ca. 7th–6th century BCE
Storage jar decorated with mountain goats, Ceramic, paint
ca. 4000–3600 BCE
Rhyton in the shape of a bird, Ceramic
ca. early 1st millennium BCE
Jar with geometric designs, Ceramic, paint
ca. 5300–4300 BCE
Canaanite jar, Ceramic, Canaanite
Canaanite
ca. 1500–1400 BCE
Pot, Juan Hamilton  American, Painted plaster
Designer Juan Hamilton
1975
Temple 7, William Wyman  American, Earthenware
William Wyman
1977
Vase, Archibald Knox  British, Pewter
Designer Archibald Knox
Manufacturer Liberty & Co.
ca. 1900–1910
Scofield Thayer, Gaston Lachaise  American, Bronze
Gaston Lachaise
1923; cast 1924
Trifoglio, Enzo Mari  Italian, Ceramic
Enzo Mari
Manufacturer Danese Milano
1969
Vase, Sinya Okayama  Japanese, Stainless steel
Multiple artists/makers
1986
Vase, Joan Miró  Spanish, Painted earthenware
Designer Joan Miró
Manufacturer Josep Llorens Artigas
1942
Vessel #1063, June Schwarcz  American, Electroplated copper foil and enamel
Designer June Schwarcz
1990
Axe Vessel, Gordon Baldwin  British, Earthenware
Designer Gordon Baldwin
1986
Blue Mountain Horses, Rudy Autio  American, Stoneware with colored glazes
Designer Rudy Autio
1984
Fish, Beatrice Wood  American, Luster-glazed earthenware
Designer Beatrice Wood
ca. 1947
Squared Up, William Daley  American, Stoneware
William Daley
1985
The Ming Sisters, Betty Woodman  American, Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer and paint
Designer Betty Woodman
2003
Vase, Louis Majorelle  French, Porcelain
Designer Louis Majorelle
1901
Shiva vase, Ettore Sottsass  Italian, born Austria, ceramic
Ettore Sottsass
1973