Balance of Architecture
I have been immersed in the making of ceramics since I graduated from the ANU Institute of the Arts in 1992. My perspective is influenced by a nuanced understanding and knowledge of the Bauhaus and the Decorative Arts movements of the early 20th. And just as importantly to me is having my formative years spent growing up in Israel, and being exposed to the kaleidoscope of colour, migration, food and architecture. I was born in Beersheba, of Turkish and Indian descent and my first language is Hebrew. You can see the many references to these formative experiences in the finished ceramics. I aim to create cohesive artworks by utilising strong lines, geometric abstract patterns and a unique balance of architectural shape and space. The play with the form of the object is always a pleasure to me, and this play creates the building blocks of ideas to be represented.
My process, like in all ceramics, is a technical one infused with the desire to make conceptually strong work. I begin by casting vessels in a variety of sizes using porcelain slip clay. Once the vessels are made I experiment with the rims, cut and join lips and make slashes and cuts to expose the spaces within. The shapes are stacked, resulting in a strong vertical form, where the waist ofthe work is often distinctive and where the base forms a grounded foundation, reminiscent to an architectural structure. I like to invite people to explore the inherent form and to be cognisant of the pieces as a technically sophisticated ceramic and one also that carries an implied meaning. To make the distinctive monochrome palette I prefer, I bisque fire and sand the surfaces and then use black and opaque glazes. The underlying tension between the tones adds a delicacy to the inherent structure of the artworks. The exhibited works can be stand-alone pieces or situated as a cluster. The exploration into the making of ceramics has absorbed me for 30 years. I amconstantly refining my ideas to complete works that satiate my curiosity. It is still a wonderful experience witnessing the vessels taking shape.
