I’m fascinated by things that are beautiful and repulsive at the same time, so when I came upon the work of Carrie Longley I was immediately drawn in. Her ceramic sculptures examine the relationship between art and science.

Adipose obesus

12x12x12inches, ceramic, glaze, steel wire, pig intestine, mixed media 2009

Looking at her work is like a taking a visit to the The Mütter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, a collection of medical monstrosities, preserved brains, livers, and fetuses; dignified and beautiful collections of objects that make you want to look closer and observe and make you  want to turn away at the same time. Similar to works in a museum, each piece is labeled and displayed in cases like those used to display ancient artifacts.

Capillus linus

10x6x6 inches, ceramic, glaze, steel wire, pig intestine, mixed media 2009

Longley says: "My intention as an artist is to create a playful shifting back and forth between our traditional ideas of a scientific specimen and art object.

I utilize the malleable characteristics of clay to create small-scale sculptures, which resemble preserved scientific specimens. The forms display warty surfaces, soft, fleshy folds and puckered openings, suggestive of organic growth. I use clay primarily for its material and technical possibilities, and its chameleon-like ability to mimic organic form and surfaces. The aesthetic characteristics of glaze allow me to achieve a surface depth similar to a membrane or skin of an organism."

Porcarius cauda

10x6x6 inches, ceramic, glaze, steel wire, pig intestine, mixed media 2009

Flip Flopping!

Gerry Wedd Newcastle thong (2008) 6.5 x 27.8 x 11.5 cm Glazed porcelain

I dream of dresses made of Porcelain...

Sculpural hand-built ceramic “clothing” in a major focus of the work or Fiona Wong, an artist from Hong Kong.  Exploring the link between traditional and contemorary Chines culture through her work, Fiona uses texture, color and sometimes different clays to richly convey everyday life through the clothing.  Dresses, bags and shoes are all rendered in clay or porcelain in a highly detailed manner which points the observer to the cultural origins of the objects.  Her work is highly sought after for collections in Hong Kong and internationally. 

BAG NO.5 Terracotta, 27x14x4cm, 2001

Mermaid (2007) von Fiona Wong Lei-ching

Photo by düsselboy 

Ethereal Porcelain Dress

I love this ethereal porcelain sculpture!  

Dressing up in Porcelain

Intricate handmade porcelain butterflies sewn on to a dress are a pretty sight for spring...

An amazing piece by Caroline Cheng on display at NCECA. 

 There are hundreds of intricate handmade porcelain butterflies sewn on to a Chinese dress.

Ms. Cheng says:  "From afar, people can look at China and see a country with people almost looking the same. But if you look closely, it has many complex personalities, many different cultures mixed into one large pot.

The Chinese words consist of many strokes. Each stroke by itself means nothing, but when they are put together they make up words. The Chinese uses this kind of method of putting things together in daily life also. The art of ceramic making is unique in the world; specialized skill workers put together and make one piece of fine work.

Chinese believe in looking at the positive aspects of life and not dwell on the negative. Auspicious symbols are placed in homes to bring good luck and happiness. They use symbols such as bats, deer and peaches because these words sound like fortune, prosperity and longevity.

I have called my butterfly outfits “Prosperity” also because “Clothing服” and “Prosperity福” are pronounced the same way “fu”. These outfits from afar look just like a dress, but when you look closely at the butterflies they are all unique and different. This is a China!"

Beautiful!

Shoes, Part 3

BLOCKED 

Inge Roberts

PORCELAIN, CONE 10, OXIDATION

FLATS 

Inge Roberts

PORCELAIN, CONE 10, OXIDATION

Shoes seen at NCECA in Seattle

Glorious (Ceramic) Shoes, Part 2

Feet of Clay

Participants in a show Juried Exhibition in Nordstrom’s Downtown Seattle store for NCECA 2012 were asked to create ceramic scuptures in the form of shoes or accessories.  The scultpure had to fit into a standard size shoe box. 

"Feet of Clay references fatal flaws or secrets; unexpected vulnerable points in a hero or admired 
person. There is room for interpretation, but the artist might reveal a secret about the wearer of the shoes or accessories. One does not need to make shoes to be considered for this show, we are more interested in the 
idea of fatal, hidden flaws, “feet of clay”.

Susan Balshor, Nordstrom’s NCECA Juried Invitational, Feet of Clay.

Barbara Hennig "She Was The Wings Beneath His Feet" 

Nordstrom's NCECA Juried Invitational,Feet of Clay. Lowfire terracotta, terrasigillatta

Charan Sacher, ceramic shoes and clutch bag

Shoes by Students of Northwest School