Covered jar c. 2001

Michael Simon's "Covered jar" is a ceramic sculpture that was made in 2001. The artwork features a simple, square-shaped form decorated with black birds painted in a simplified, almost cartoonish style. The birds, two on the body and one on the lid, are painted in a dark black glaze with white highlights, while the background is a light cream color. The form of the piece is reminiscent of traditional Japanese ceramics, while the simple decoration reflects Simon's interest in minimalist design. The sculpture is currently on view at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.