Theaster Gates Acquires Pickard China, America's Last Luxury Porcelain Maker

Artist Theaster Gates has acquired Pickard China, the sole remaining manufacturer of high-end porcelain in the United States. Founded in 1893 and located in Antioch, Illinois, Pickard China has a long history of producing porcelain for distinguished clients, including the White House, U.S. embassies, luxury hotels, private clubs, and major retailers. Despite its heritage, the company has experienced challenges in recent decades, including reduced production output and an aging factory requiring significant modernization.

The acquisition marks a significant development for both Gates and Pickard China. Gates, a Chicago-based artist known for his interdisciplinary work that often involves urban revitalization and the restoration of cultural spaces, first encountered Pickard China while seeking an American manufacturer for a homewares project in collaboration with Prada. This initial connection later evolved when Andy Pickard Morgan, the fourth-generation leader of Pickard China who took over in 2006, approached Gates about purchasing the business. Morgan's decision to sell stemmed from his impending retirement and the absence of any family members prepared to continue managing the company.

For Gates, the acquisition represents a natural progression and expansion of his artistic practice. Ceramics have been a foundational element of his work for many years, drawing inspiration from both Japanese and African American ceramic traditions, while also highlighting underrecognized figures in ceramic history. Beyond his studio work, Gates has gained recognition for his efforts in renovating buildings and revitalizing cultural sites across Chicago's South Side. He expressed particular enthusiasm for Pickard China's potential to "bring artisanal manufacturing back to the fore," as stated in an interview with NPR.

Gates is slated to lead Pickard China's creative direction, supported by a newly assembled management team that will handle the company's day-to-day operations. Andy Pickard Morgan will continue his involvement in an executive capacity. The artist views the historic factory as an opportunity to integrate his own ceramic artistry directly into the future of the American porcelain manufacturer, extending his practice into the realm of fine porcelain production. This move signifies a commitment to preserving and evolving artisanal craftsmanship within the United States.