Theaster Gates

The Chicago-based artist acquires the historic American porcelain manufacturer, bringing his longstanding engagement with ceramics into dialogue with the preservation of American craftsmanship and industrial heritage.

Founded in 1893 by Wilder Pickard, Pickard China specialized in hand-painted art pieces, dessert sets, and tea services, bringing together artists from the Art Institute of Chicago and across Europe to decorate one-of-a-kind ceramic works. Based in Antioch, Illinois, the company has spent more than a century producing fine porcelain for distinguished clients, including the White House, U.S. embassies, hotels, and private clubs.

The acquisition marks a new chapter for the historic manufacturer, bringing its longstanding expertise in porcelain production into dialogue with Gates’ expansive artistic practice and commitment to preserving cultural and material histories. Ceramics have long been central to Gates’ work, informing his exploration of craft, labor, architecture, and the histories embedded in everyday objects.