Victims & Villains

 

Click on any image to select and enlarge.

 

Victims & Villains are works made over 2015 and during spring of 2016. They are the further investigation of ceramic forms begun five years ago. The shapes of these works evolve from the earlier forms and reengage the human head based on historical and mythical sources. I am interested in these references to acknowledge the ages of ceramic human head representation of every form from the very beginning and throughout the history of art, and as metaphores for the human condition, then and now.

​

The major works are life-size and relative weight. Many smaller studies are made throughout the process to determine subject and shape ideas, color and finish samples. 

​

The methodology of these and previous series is the same. Each piece is created from a hand-build, enclosed hollow clay sphere, which while pliable is manipulated by hand, paddles and trimming tools. While still wet colored slips are applied. They are then bisque and hi-fired in an oxidation atmosphere to retain the flatt finish. The bases are slab-build to accompany the piece. During the process the pieces usually take on a life of its own and somehow help determine their own character,