Ceramics

Part of the “Patience Flower” series, ‘Adam’ was created by Srivilasa in response to the 18th century Meissen Schneeballen (or ’Snowball’) style of decoration, which finds vessels covered in hundreds of hand-applied flower blossoms. Impressed with the skill and composure conveyed in the result of those works, the artist sought similar sonority in playful, contemporary ceramic — drawing & molding a friendly assortment of bear-like creatures, then working in accompaniment with a team of professional ceramic flower makers based in Jingdezhen, China, where Vipoo was then practicing as a resident artist.

From a series of figurative sculptural works dedicated to understanding and sharing information on the plight of Albinism sufferers in Eastern parts of Africa, where the rate of prevalence is significantly increased and those affected can be treated to appalling acts of segregation and mutilation — with a belief that body parts of the individual can cast magical powers when developed into potions by local shamans. Toland’s sculpture finds a remarkable intimacy in her studies, the increase in scale and framing of expression broadcasting a due sense of paranoia and tension. African Child with Albinism 3 Part of series documenting the albinos plight in Africa

Briggs’ ceramics are formulated uniquely to appeal to our senses of attraction and revulsion. Textural hyper-realism is combined with surreal or nightmarish combinations of form, the biomorphic forms accessing subconscious recesses to discuss notions of sexuality, curiosity and psychology. ‘Ages’ is a particularly complex form, a tight knot of fabric, flesh and unquantifiable matter (all ceramic) that appeals to our sensation to touch — and the horror of what might be discovered.

‘All You Can Eat’ seems at first to simply to characterise the familiar corporate clown of McDonalds, the hand on heart gesture a token of sentimentality for such cherished customers. Biles’ political ceramics are rarely so sympathetic though, and the inscription “McHeartAttack” carved and hidden at the base of the figure might reveal the real reason that Ronald’s eyes bulge.