The 24 artists selected for Body & Soul: New International Ceramics are using clay – traditionally made into vessels and decorative objects – to sculpt powerful responses to social injustices, environmental devastation and the day-to-day pain of living in an imperfect world. “It’s not a pretty show,” says co-curator Wendy Tarlow Kaplan, referring to images focused on female circumcision, gun violence and abuse. Some works reveal the sinister side of genteel society, others give voice to silent suffering. All invite viewers to engage with the critical personal and social issues of our times. Artists include Mounir Fatmi, Sana Musasama, Tip Toland, Marc Alberghina, Jessica Harrison and Kim Simonsson.

Museum of Arts and Design, New York, until 2 March 2014.