A Perfect Pairing

Jared Tso (Diné) and Alexandria Bipatnath (Shawanaga First Nations)

An exhibition opening at King Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico, blends two worlds: pottery and cuisine. A new collection of gorgeous clay vessels by Diné artist Jared Tso are combined with the culinary prowess of his partner, Alexandria Bipatnath (Shawanaga First Nations), who makes original tribal dishes. The show is a reflection on both the traditional utilitarian uses of clay pottery, often as vessels for food, alongside their evolution into fine art.

Jared Tso (Diné), traditional Navajo water jar, Native clay, native fired

“In the world of ceramics and clay, utilitarian forms and fine art are forever bonded from their shared origin. To separate the two is to strip them of their histories,” says Tso. “[The way] my pottery interacts with Alexandria’s cuisine is one from a lens of fine dining. They tease with the idea of function, but also convey age-old concepts of Navajo pottery that translate both artistically and complementary to the table.”

Jared Tso (Diné), open Navajo white and brown bowl, Native clay, native fired

Tso explains that while his process for creating his ceramic works has essentially remained the same, the difference in this new body of work is his creative approach. “The ideas for each vessel come from the many conversations and time spent with Alexandria. More specifically, the vessel, and how they might interact, strictly come about from the [culinary] process,” he says.

Alexandria Bipatnath’s sourdough rests in one of Tso’s vessels.

“Food and the creative process behind it always have a simple explanation. It is an extension of love,” says Bipatnath. “Not only to the ones that you prepare a dish for, but for the love that you show yourself. The spices, smells and flavors all come from a place of love. Whether that be from the culture from where it originates or the connection to family. The recipes that I have chosen to use in this show interact seamlessly with Jared’s vessel. It is a complementary relationship that has been around since time immemorial. The pairing takes place not only in the plating but also during the dish’s creation.”