E dmund de Waal’s sensibility to the material qualities of ceramics, how they are displayed and their relationship with their surroundings is the essence of this temporary exhibition. The artist will display new site-specific sculptures created from porcelain, steel, gold, marble and glass within the main galleries of the institution, which will sit alongside the objects from the Frick’s permanent collection.

De Waal, who also considers the building a sculpture in its own right, has designed his additions to the space to respond to and echo its architecture. Through his choice of materials, the pieces will be engineered to catch the light in situ, and to acknowledge the museum’s founder Henry Clay Frick, a man who made a large proportion of his fortune in steel manufacturing.

This is de Waal’s first such site-specific exhibition to take place in the United States and an opportunity to experience the transformative effects of his serene ceramic compositions.

Elective Affinities: Edmund de Waal at The Frick Collection will be on view from 30 May–17 November.