trading in poppies
Photo courtesy of The Jewish Museum
trading in poppies (2023) seeks to capture the inherent contradictions of the Sassoon family, juxtaposing their generous contributions to society - such as supporting the arts and rescuing Jews during WWII - with their involvement in the highly immoral opium trade. This mixture of kindness and callousness is embodied by the poppy, which is at once a source of culinary pleasure and of a debilitating narcotic. The ceramics on which the baked goods are served feature a blend of blue and white style traditions from Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe, reflecting the cultural influences of the various places where the Sassoons have lived.
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