Joe Bova

The projected anthropomorphic identity thrown on animal forms is often stronger than the human emote it epitomises, and Bova manoeuvres through this distinction with his collection of zoological ceramics that are set to human tasks and physical arrangements. Unlike other careful applications of realism and textural depth found in Bova’s oeuvre, ’Cat with Dog Mask’ makes no obfuscation of the red clay in which its built — the clarity of surface in opposition to the play on identity as the cat switches to a dog with a mask. Incised "Clay Dogs," G. Clark, Los Angeles on base. Artist's signature and date incised on base and on figure.