New York–based Twenty First Gallery is pleased to present the first U.S. solo exhibition of French ceramic artist Alice Gavalet, opening October 30th. Marking a pivotal moment in her career, the show introduces American audiences to her exuberant and painterly vision, with vibrant vases, playful lamps and sconces, and two groundbreaking furniture pieces that combine ceramic with wood and brass. Drawing inspiration from textile patterns, Art Brut, and the colorful legacies of Betty Woodman and Ettore Sottsass, Gavalet transforms clay into bold sculptural forms that are at once joyful, spontaneous, and alive with movement.Her practice is deeply informed by the language of textiles, most notably her signature tartan motifs, yet it is her fearless use of color and painterly approach that most define her work. Layering engobes, enamels, and oxides with a brush, she builds subtle transparencies and nuanced hues, often leaving areas of clay exposed to create a striking sense of depth. This balance of complexity and vitality infuses each piece with energy and motion. Though many works take the form of functional objects, Gavalet ultimately conceives of them as “painted sculptures,” celebrating imperfection, spontaneity, and the expressive potential of clay.