Thrown and altered porcelain with under-glaze
17h” x 6.5″w
2012 sold
When the Phoenix Art Museum approached me for a donation, I thought it would be fun to take a more traditional form and make it contemporary. For the past year, I have been in a research and developmental phase looking into a combination of Dazzle Camouflage, Cubist and Vorticism painting. The above photo is my first attempt, it was very well received at the event and I enjoyed creating it.
Finial look in a series of colors 2012
The work posted above feature a series of feet or Function, which are basic tools of humanity; the surface or Fashion, is an extension of ourselves in a contemporary skin.
These pieces were originally constructed by hand out of clay. It took many attempts to get it just right and at times looked quite frightening. Wanting several for a series, I produced a mold out of plaster. From that mold, I used slip to “pull” a cast. Each piece was cleaned, sanded and fired in a kiln.
For the surface, I wanted to try a different approach. I have been china painting for years and while researching a project about cars on the side, I decided to try automotive paint. Fortunately, I had a contact who works for the Porche collision repair shop in town. I learned the exact process applied onto automobiles and it was a learning process. Each sculpture has multiple levels of primers, colors, pearls, clears and many layers of wax. I am extremely please with the final appearance of the series and there’s more to come.
Hand-building the original sculpture out of clay
Application of paints
This piece titled, Chamber Duty, will be on display at the Phoenix Art Museum, Saturday, February 19, 2011 Contemporary Forum ART AUCTION. China Paint on Handbuilt porcelain.
Check out the American Art Collector Magazine featuring an article about my work. Enjoy!
Bridget Chérie Harper’s Visual Diaries by Paul Lewing
Thanks to artist, writer and publisher, Paul Lewing for this informative article about China Painting and featuring my work!
