Intriguing clayart oddities and obscuria’s

 

Christine-Kaiser---Moon-Cassandra ceramic sculpture of moon and sun

‘Moon Cassandra’  – Christine Kaiser

 

 

Obscuriosities

It’s always gratifying to view a piece that was born out of pure artistic abandon, without a hint of restraint, following raw instinct beyond any deliberate desire to adhere to a path of coherence in the narrative. Different forms of modern art, through manipulating perceived reality, arouse attention and fascination. Abstract art quite often relies on shape and color to convey its emotional message, while forwarding the challenge of either embracing it in its entirety or focusing on the patterns and details. Cubist styles always provide plenty of information to ruminate over and analyze, with its unified composition of various perspectives and simplified forms. The futurist artists contemporized their art with cubist elements, while at the same time glorifying the machine age and motion which created an interesting visual mix. The surrealists generally always are a source of visual diversity with their scope of warped presentations of reality and themes to captivate the imagination.

 

_bacerra_ralph_portrait_vessel_earthenware_1991_everson_museum_of_art_collection_museum_purchase_1992_photo_john_polak_

Ralph Bacerra – 1991

Everson Museum of Art Collection — Photo – John Polak

 

Sometimes an art piece carries a particular visual message which is obvious. Other times it can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, which in itself can add to its appeal, and only through consideration of its title is it possible to decipher its message. Or conversely, the title gives nothing away and its meaning is open to interpretation for eternity. At times the artist doesn’t know themselves and have just channeled some impression deep from their inner realms. It can take shape to reflect a cathartic release of repressed emotions or can also be just some wacky whimsical journey. Sometimes the artist takes the trouble to elucidate the motive behind a piece of their art and the reason for certain imagery, to reveal surprising details. Then again, an added title can confuse the issue even more.
Obscurio is a term I use for pieces that arouse curiosity but have their meaning obscured, either by vague, incongruous visuals, lack of information in the title or deliberate concealment. Cryptic messages can exist that can only be unraveled with the use of clues, symbols and inner knowledge. Maybe there is no message intended, which gives no respite to the inquisitive, prying mind, forever trying to intellectually construct a framework of understanding and appraisal. Just as an artist lets go to manifest their creation, sometimes its easier to traverse the same process and embrace the spirit of the work, while suspending too much concern for analaysis. Presented here is an assortment of oddities and obscurios that can be pondered for a myriad of reasons.

 

 

Aguirre_Amber_figurine_porcelain_handbuilt_2012_judith_and_martin_schwartz_collection_photo_john_polak_june_15

Amber Aguirre figurine – handbuilt porcelain, 2012

Judith and Martin Schwartz Collection

photo John Polak

 

VM_ceramics33

Circus performer – Hermien Buytendijk
Groningen, Netherlands

1948

Galerie T

 

Butterly Kathy_red_shimmy_porcelain_1997_judith_and_martin_schwartz_collection_photo_john_polak_june_2015

‘Red Shimmy’  – Kathy Butterly – porcelain 1997

Judith and Martin Schwartz Collection

photo John Polak

 

 

 

Snail-with-a-maze-Anya-Stasenko-and-Slava-Leontyev--

‘Snail With a Maze’  – Anya Stasenko and Slava Leontyev

 

 

 

porcelain-figurine incense burner by Robj - Paris

Robj orientalist incense burner

 

 

 

Viola-Frey ceramic sculpture of a mixed collection of people

Viola Frey

 

 

Faye-Nakamura---Oregon-Potters

Faye Nakamura — Oregon Potters

 

 

 

African-Renaissance-Monument

African Renaissance Monument

Dakar, Senegal

Bronze statue – 49 metre height

 

 

Hermien-Buytendijk-ceramic-sculpture - Female Dutch sculptor

Hermien Buytendijk, Netherlands

 

 

 

Irina-Zaytceva Mother of Pearl Butterfly

“Mother of Pearl Butterfly” – Irina Zaytceva

Jane Sauer Gallery

 

 

 

 

Alex-Johanson ceramic figurines - quirky couple

Alex Johanson

 

 

 

archea-associati-liling-ceramic-museum-china-designboom-each-volume-takes-the-shape-of-a-sculpted-vessel-or-vase

Liling Ceramic Museum, China  – Archea Associati

Each volume takes the shape of a sculpted vessel or vase

Designboom

 

 

 

archea-associati-liling-ceramic-museum-china-designboom-09

Liling Ceramic Museum, China

 

 

archea-associati-liling-ceramic-museum-china-designboom-each-volume-takes-the-shape-of-a-sculpted-vessel-or-vase

Bowl buildings – Liling Ceramic Museum, China

 

 

 

art-design-kitsch--Jean-Tinguely-&-Niki-de-Saint-Phalle

Kinetic sculpture by Jean Tinguely & Niki de Saint Phalle, France

 

 

 

Ayahuasquera-made-by-master-glass-artists,-Banjo,-WJC-&-Joe-Peter

‘Ayahuasquera’ made by master glass artists, Banjo, WJC & Joe Peter

 

 

 

 

Beverage-Dispenser-by-Albert-Thiry---Sam-Kaufman

Lidded Beverage Dispenser by Albert Thiry

Sam Kaufman, LA

 

 

 

Nice-Guido-Gambone-vaseLA

Guido Gambone, Italy

 

 

Nightfall-2008-Bronze-Edition-of-20-23-x-12-x-10-inches-Richard-MacDonald

‘Nightfall’ – Richard MacDonald

Bronze Edition of 23 x 12 x 10 inches

2008

 

 

Luciano-Polverigiani--abstract-ceramic figures

Luciano Polverigiani

 

 

 

Over-the-edge-2014Amanda-Shelser Bust of a lady with blue hair and tattoos

‘Over the edge’ – Amanda Shelser

2014

 

 

 

Pablo-Picasso-–-Woman-with-Hat,-1961,-Sheet-metal,-National-Museum-of-Modern-Art---Georges-Pompidou-Center,-Paris

‘Woman with Hat’ – Pablo Picasso – Sheet metal cubist sculpture

National Museum of Modern Art –  Georges Pompidou Center, Paris

 1961

 

 

 

Penny-Byrne surrealist sculpture

Penny Byrne

Penny Byrne transforms vintage porcelain figures and other found objects into work that makes a humorous or political statement.

 

 

 

ByrneSculpture5

Penny Byrne, Melbourne, Australia

 

 

 

Robert-Hudson multi media sculpture

Robert Hudson

via What Nerve! Alternative Figures in American Art, 1960 to the Present – RISD Museum of Art/D.A.P.

 

 

Thoth-&-Green-Girl--LisaOsborn-at-Barrister's;-Deris-at-Antenna

‘Thoth & Green Girl’ — Lisa Osborn at Barrister’s Gallery

Lisa Osborn’s mostly human size clay figures radiate pathos, but their meaning is up to us. Many suggest tragic figures from the dark fantasy realms of Mary Shelley or Edgar Allen Poe

New Orleans Art Insider

 

 

Rimas VisGirda-Tall Black cylinder vase with abstract head motifs

‘Tall Black’ – Rimas VisGirda

 

 

 

Geometric-Xantolo-mask-from-Huasteca,-Hidalgo,-Mexico

Geometric Xantolo mask from Huasteca, Hidalgo, Mexico

 

 

 

forest-blues-for-web

”Forest Blues’  by Laura Jean Mclaughlin – white earthenware, slips, glazes

 

 

 

floating-air-bonsai-garden-by-hoshinchu-defies-gravity-designboom-

Gravity defying floating bonsai garden by Hoshinchu

Designbloom

 

 

 

Femme-et-enfant-2009-Marc-PEREZ

‘Femme et enfant’ – Marc Perez

2009

 

 

 Oswald Tieberghien mid century sculptures

 Oswald Tieberghien, 1950’s

Height 43 cm.

Wouter Harvey

 

 

Dos-Ojos,-ceramic,-9x9x23-inches-Andy-Nassisse - whimsical ceramic bust

‘Dos Ojos’ – Andy Nassisse

ceramic bust, 9 x 9 x 23 inches

 

 

 

Ceramic-Vase-by-Accolay---Gueridon,-Brooklyn---14-inches

Large twin handled ceramic vase by Accolay, France

Gueridon, Brooklyn, USA

Height 14-inches

 

 

 

Ceramic-Sculpture-by-Fernand-Leger,-1947

Ceramic Wall Panel Sculpture – Fernand Leger

1947

 

 

 

Moods-of-Time-by-Paul-Manship

‘Moods of Time’ by Paul Manship

Life Magazine

 

 

 

la-0514-pin010

‘The Uncrossable Upswept Bridge’  – Keiichi Tanaami

Art Basel Hong Kong

photo EPA

 

Judy-Moonelis-(1953,-USA)

Judy Moonelis   (Two Figures in a Boat),

1982

 

 

Jordan-Sprigg---Preying-Mantis Australian sculptior

Preying Mantis’ – Jordan Sprigg, Western Australia

 

 

 

 

 

WV-Installation+View-3+hanging+butoh+women+figures-L-Bob+Clyatt+Sculpture

Collaborative Sculpture installation, raku fired ceramic figures, head sculpture, standing figure sculptures, bronze head sculpture

Whispering Voices, in- Greenpoint Brooklyn

 

 

 

Optically-Addicted by H,R,Giger

‘Optically Addicted’ by H,R,Giger

 

 

Metal sculpture - 'Birth Machine Baby Aluminum' - H,R,Giger

‘Birth Machine Baby Aluminum’ – H,R,Giger

 

 

 

 

Sculpture-influenced -by Russian constrctivism

Contemporary sculpture based on Soviet Constructivism

Graduates of the University of Western Australia

 

 

 

 

JAR-PORTAPIANTA-HEAD-IN-CERAMICS-WITH-CALTAGIRONE-LUSTRES-METAL

Portapianta head jar, Sicily

 

 

 

 

Design-Miami---thomas-fritsch-Roger Capron skipping figure sculpture

Roger Capron

Gallery Thomas Fritsch

 

 

 

Vintage-Mexican-Folk-Art-Carved-Wood-Spanish-Conquistador-Guerrero

Vintage Mexican Folk Art Carved Wood Spanish Conquistador Gonzalo Guerrero

 

 

Alexey-Illarionov-ceramic reclining cat

Alexey Illarionov

 

 

 

Terracotta-Angel,-c

Terracotta Labyrinthos Angel, c.1896

Watts Chapel Uk

photo © Jeff Saward

 

 

 

down-to-the-river--Laura Jean McLaughlin

‘Down to the River’ — Laura Jean McLaughlin

 

 

 

 

Alex-Johanson---abstract-ceramic-couple

Alex Johanson

 

 

 

Ardmore-Ceramic-Art,-The-Aids-Monster,-2011,-Sculpture-by-Sfiso-Mvelase-(Sculptor)-and-Wiseman-Ndlovu-(Painter),

 The Aids Monster – Sculpture by Sfiso Mvelase (Sculptor) and Wiseman Ndlovu (Painter)

 2011

Ardmore Ceramic Art

 

 

capron-roger-1922-2006-france-sculpture

Roger Capron

 

 

 

Ceramics-by-Taehoon-Kim

Taehoon Kim

 

 

 

Large-ceramic-fish Sylvan Bongard , Portugal

Large fish sculpture by Sylvan Bongard , Portugal

 

 

Sunkoo-Yuh---in his ceramic studio

Sunkoo Yuh

 

 

The-relocation-of-a-Abu-Simbel-temples-in-Nubia,-Egypt,-between-1964-and-1968

Face Off, Egypt

The relocation of a Abu Simbel temples in Nubia, Egypt, between 1964 and 1968

 

 

Herakles_Geryon_ on an Attic black-figured amphora with a thick layer of transparent gloss, c. 540 BC, now in the Munich State Collection of Antiquities.

Heracles and Geryon on an Attic black-figured amphora with a thick layer of transparent gloss, and a peace dove?

c. 540 BC

Munich State Collection of Antiquities.

 

Intriguing wind kinetic metal sculptures from Anthony Howe

 

 

 

 

 

NEXT POST – Sixties quest for the elusive Eden

 

2 Comments

  1. sue barstow
    Posted April 14, 2016 at 1:36 pm | Permalink

    your port folios of amazing art is a delight – What a wonderful exhibition of works you have found to display.
    congratulations for your outstanding contribution to the world of art and artists you have made

  2. beverly barnes
    Posted July 30, 2018 at 5:50 am | Permalink

    Magnificent! Well done!

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