Monthly Archives: April 2016

Daily Pottery Art Feed – extended

 

Daily-Pottery-Art-Feed---veniceclayartists

 

Pottery art pieces from ancient to contemporary, antiquity to futuristic, unusual to utilitarian, quirky to conservative. There’s always something to say with the 3D forms fashioned from that pliable clay. The versatile bounty of the earth keeps experiencing new ways to be interpreted and appreciated while its deep past provides fascinating revelations. The earth’s grounded passivity gets awakened and emboldened  by the kinetic application of the potter and projects a new balance through interaction with the restless fire dynamic and defined spaces.

While a daily update is aspired to, it is usually otherwise with new entries appearing weekly at the least.

 

Jump to latest page ⇒

 

 

 

 

Caroline-Chevalier----ceramic jug with abstract botanical decoration

Caroline Chevalier, France

 

 

60s-Rumtopf-Keramik cat planter LisaLarsenesque

Vintage Swedish cat planter – 60’s

 

 

1100-deg,-clear-glaze vase by Christine Thacker

Christine Thacker

 

 

Twin raku pears 2009---by-Paula-Cooley---photo-by-Grant-Kernan

Twin raku pears 2009—by Paula Cooley

photo by Grant Kernan

 

 

Adero-Willard-ceramic lidded box

Adero Willard

 

 

Allamakee-Wood-Fired-Pottery conical lidded ceramic jar

Allamakee Wood-Fired Pottery

 

 

 

ART-NOUVEAU-VASE-BY-PAUL-DACHSEL-FOR-ERNST-WAHLISS-COMPANY-(ca

Art Nouveau vase by Paul Dachsel for Ernst Wahliss

 

 

Athena-Jahantigh stylised ceramic horse

Athena Jahantigh

 

 

bob-deane-pottery-speckled-vase-2

Speckled vase by Bob Deane

 

 

Chinese-sculpture-emperor figure---Hess-Fine-Auctions

Large Chinese emperor figure sculpture

Austin Products 1981

 

 

 

Chris-Barnes horizontal striped ceramic vessel

Chris Barnes

 

 

Cyndi-Casemier slab built vase with twin lugs

Slab built  vase – Cyndi Casemier

 

 

Hans Vangso_vertical ribbed essel

Hans Vangso speckled ceramic jar

Anne Linnemann Gallery

 

 

Vintage-Art-Pottery-Large-Vase-11inch-Signed-Armando-de-Mexico

Large vintage sgraffito vase  – Armando de Mexico

Height 11 inches

 

Japanese-ceramic-artist-Akio-Nukaga

Akio Nukaga, Japan

 

 

Joan_Serra-ceramics contemporary sculpture

Joan Serra

 

Joan-Serra ceramic sculpture

Joan Serra contemporary ceramic sculpture

 

 

Liz-Quackenbush-2012 ceramic sculpture with snake and botanical motifs

Liz Quackenbush

 

 

mia-llauder cerramic sculpture

Mia Llauder

 

 

 

Mid-Century-Modern-Mexican-Art-Pottery-Sgraffito-Vase

Mexican vintage sgraffito art pottery

 

 

 

sculpture_artwork_liliya_pobornikova_autumn_2'Autumn-(abstract-Bursting-Ripe-Fruit-Pod-sculpture)'

Abstract ‘Bursting Ripe Fruit Pod ‘sculpture – Liliya Pobornikova

 

 

 

sculpture-triangle---MOHY-YVES---galerie-capazza

‘Sculpture Triangle’ – MOHY YVES

galerie capazza

 

 

 

Tang-sculpture of a woman-playing-polo on a horse

Polo player on horse sculpture – Tang Dynasty

 

 

teapot-by-Lorna-Bailey

Lorna Bailey

 

 

Bennett Bean - Untitled-(Drunken-Lily-Series),-1996 Earthenware,-pit-fired,-acrylic,-gold-leaf-interior-15x9

Bennett Bean

 

 

Vi.Bi-Torino-(Italy)

Vi.Bi Torino (Italy) mid century modern vase

 

 

 

JUNTOS-Y-FELICES,-marble sculpture abstract form

‘Junto Y Felices’ – marble sculpture by Peruvian artist Iván Rojas Tovar

 

 

 

Patricia Griffin-Large Vase-FlowerPower-view2 Woodcut series

Patricia Griffin- ‘FlowerPower’ vase

Cambria, California

 

 

Philippe-Dubuc-- ceramic lidded vessel

Philippe Dubuc

 

 

 1950s-Raymor-Bitossi-Aldo-Londi

Italian Mid Century 50’s vase

 

 

Antique-Art-Deco-Roseville-Pottery-Futura

Roseville Art Deco Futura vase

 

 

\

Charlie-Riggs-raku-baluster vase

Charlie Riggs raku vase

 

 

 

Colored-pottery-vase---Velsen-1930

Art Deco Jazz Age vase – Velsen, Nl

 

 

 

René-Buthaud-crackle glaze vase

René Buthaud crackle glaze vase

 

 

 

royal-copenhagen-ceramic seal figurine

Seal figurine – Royal Copenhagen

 

 

 

Beauty-of-UncertaintySmall - Tanya-Tyree-35-long-Hand-built-with-slabs,-incised-with-abstract-drawings,-brush-glazed-with-copper-and-colored-glazes

Tanya Tyree

 Hand built with slabs, incised with abstract drawings, brush glazed with copper and colored glazes – Tanya Tyree

Height 35 inches

 

 

 

Black-and-white-striped-raku-pots Bubani artee raku

Set of black and white raku vessels

bubaniarteeraku.it

 

 

Blackline-Diamond-Pillow-Box--Vaughan-Nelson--Ceramic-Box

Black line diamond shaped ceramic footed pillow box – Vaughan Nelson

Sold by Artful Home

 

 

Blue-Sail-by-Ricky-Maldonado

‘Blue Sail’ – Ricky Maldonado

 

 

Christine-Fabre french ceramicist - lidded vessel

Christine Fabre, France

 

 

 

Jarl,-Otto-1856-1915-Meissen,-early-20th-Century

Japonism vase – Jarl Otto  (1856-1915)   –  Meissen, early 20th Century

 

 

 

Eileen-Singleton ceramic orb

Eileen Singleton

 

 

 

ray-silverman-ceramic cup

Ray Silverman

 

 

 

Stephen-Hatcher-....wood-turned-jar-vessel-with-lid

Stephen Hatcher woodturned jar

 

 

 

Yōhen-kin-Shino-Vase-by-Suzuki-Tomio

Suzuki Tomio

To further enhance shino’s tactile appeal, Suzuki Tomio approaches every unglazed pot as a landscape architect would an undeveloped plot of earth. It first requires slow, thoughtful sculpting before anything is lain upon it. As a result, his clay creations are renowned for their terraced surfaces, ridges, and winding vistas. This resplendent yōhen-kin (golden) vase is a proud example of Suzuki’s unique approach to shino. Deeply cut furrows and facets naturally guide the eyes across a rugged, glistening terrain swept across with crackled feldspar and flowing brushed details.

2000cranes.com

 

 

 

Bill-Campbell-Snow-Drop-Vase

Snow Drop Vase – Bill Campbell

 

 

 

Contemporary-KOPA-Southwestern-Design-Hand-Painted-Pottery-KACHINA-VASE

‘Kachina Vase’ – Contemporary KOPA Southwestern Design

 

 

 

Satsuma-Pottery-cylindrical Bottle-Vase

Satsuma fan motif bottle

 

 

 

Humler-and-Nolan-Weller-Faience-vase,-Rhead-like-trees, in orange and green

 Weller Faience vase

Humler and Nolan

 

 

 

Sarah-Ann-Raku Ceramics-Port-Warwick-Art-&-Sculpture-Festival

Sarah Ann raku lidded jar

 

 

5th International Biennial of Contemporary Ceramics of Sevres
 12 to 29 May 2016

 

 

5th-International-Biennial-of-Contemporary-Ceramics-of-Sevres-from-12-to-29-May-

Contemporary sculpture – Christine Ladevèze

 

 

 

Nancy Selvin exhibition at Spun Smoke Gallery

May 5 to June 26, 2016

 

 

Green-back_29-x-23-x-23-inches-Nancy-Selvin pottery jug

Nancy Selvin

 

 

 

pink-back_Nancy-Selvin-32-x-22-x-22-inches Large pottery vase

Nancy Selvin

 

 

Nancy-Selvin

 

 

 

Bukran-bowl-Hungry with wavy edge

Bowl by Bukran, Hungry

 

 

 

Brother-Thomas,-large-vase-with-2-covers,-iron-yellow-glaze,-porcelain

Large iron yellow glazed porcelain vase – Brother Thomas

 

 

 

 

polymer-clay-ovoid vase--by-beefball-papa

Polymer clay vase – Beefball Papa

 

 

 

Adelle-Nampeyo Hopi-pottery seed pot

Adelle Nampeyo Hopi pottery

 

 

 

Vintage-Wall-Plate-Hand-Painted-colonial-street-A.-Oviedo

Handpainted wall plate – A. Oviedo

 

 

Marcello-Fantoni- Italian artist - Ceramic bottle with four facted sides

Marcello Fantoni contemporary Mid Century bottle/vase

 

 

 

William-Moorcroft-Orchid-vase-1916

Moorcroft – Orchid vase

 

 

-Ben-Barker ceramic box Toovey Auctions

Ceramic box – Ben Barker

 

 

 

Ajiki-Hiro abstract ceramic box with lid

Ajiki Hiro lidded vessel

 

 

 

Dameon-Lynn contemporary ceramic vessel

Dameon Lynn

 

 

E.C.T lidded ceramic vessel with engobes Buenos Aires, Argentina

E’T’C – Buenos Aires, Argentina

 

 

 

Duo Toshiko-Takaezu double spout vase

‘Duo’  – Toshiko Takaezu

 

 

 

Damasco-by-De-Castelli---design-Albino-Celato

Damasco vase designed by Albino Celato for De Castelli

 

 

 

Jennifer-Brazelton-abstract ceramic-sculpture in red and white

Raised relief abstract sculpture – Jennifer Brazelton

Bay Area, California

 

 

 

Jarras---Aleluia-pitcher mid century made in Portugal

Jarras—Aleluia pitcher

Mid Century, Portugal

 

Ceramic-Light-Sculpture-by-Georges-Pelletier

Georges Pelletier ceramic lamp sculpture

Sold on Artocarpus – Galerie Riviera

 

 

Jack Doherty soda fired porcelain bowl in turquoise and brown

Jack Doherty – soda fired porcelain bowl

 

 

 

Unique-'Farsta-Terra-Spirea'-1957WilhelmKage

Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg, Sweden

 

 

 

Elaine-Coleman-14x7-inches,-thrown-and-incised-porcelain,-light-blue-celadon-glaze

Incised porcelain ovoid vessel – Elaine Coleman

 

 

 

Matthew-Metz--Pitcher.-Brown striped Porcelain with a white tree and bird motif with a gold handle

Striped Porcelain Pitcher with bird and tree motifs – Matthew Metz

 

 

 

Rare-Turquoise Van-Briggle-Figural-Vase art nouveau woman

  Figural Vase Van Briggle

 

 

 

David-Hay-'Passage-of-time' elegant glass vase

Glass vase ‘Passage of time’ – David Hay, AUS

 

 

 

CELERY,-YELLOW-WITH-LIGHT-BLUE-CRYSTALS-CRYSTALLINE-GLAZE-VASE-8inchesUwharrie Crystalline Pottery

Uwharrie Crystalline Pottery vase

 

 

 

Hank-Murrow---Tea-jar-fired-in-the-wood-and-waste-oil-kiln-at-the-Pleasant-Hill-Pottery-in-2016.

Tea jar fired in the wood and waste oil kiln at the Pleasant Hill Pottery in 2016. – Hank Murrow

 

 

 

Mougin-Brothers-vase - French art deco with pidgeon relief

Art Deco pidgeon vase – Mougin Brothers

 

 

 

About-Addition Michael Cleff ceramic sculpture

Michael Cleff

 

 

 

Bowl - Bone-china-soluble-salts2-John Shirley

Bowl with bone china & soluble salt surface treatment  – John Shirley, South Africa

 

 

 

 

Michael-LaLone 'Little Fatty' crawl glaze pot 2008

Michael LaLone ‘Little Fatty’ crawl glaze pot

2008

 

 

Matthew-Hylek lidded footed ceramic vessel

Matthew Hyleck

 

 

 

Bol-de-Tony-Laverick large ceramic bowl

Tony Laverick

 

 

 

Alfred-Roullet-Renoleau pink, gold and black jazz age vase

French Art Deco Jazz Age ovoid vase – Alfred Roullet Renoleau

1920’s

 

 

Rare-Italian-Art-Pottery-Vessel-by-Otello-Rosa-for-San-Polo

 Italian Art Pottery Jug by Otello Rosa for San Polo

Otello Rosa was a  sculptor & painter, who from 1951-1959  took over as artistic director of the Venetian ceramic workshop of San Polo (who were making tourist pieces at the time) and re-directed it to his vision- many pieces being unique, and all hand-painted in tin-glazed earthenware with bright glazes with Italian imagery & characters.

See more Venetian pottery here  

 

 

 

YOICHI-OHIRA ceramic gourd vessel

Yoichi Ohira ceramic gourd

 

 

Anne-Darr-Native-American-style-pottery

Anne Darr, Florida

 

 

 

Akiyama-Yo huge ceramic sculpture

Akiyama Yo – ceramic sculpture

 

 

Terrain-Vallonne French ceramic Mid Century style vase

Terrain Vallonne, France

 

 

Helen_FullerHELEN-FULLER-Pleated-Bells,-2013-Hand-built-terracotta-coil-pots,-oxides,-white-slip

‘Pleated Bells’  – Helen Fuller, 2013

Hand built terracotta coil pots, oxides, white slip

 

 

Hans Vangso_ceramic vessel

Hans Vangso

 

 

 

Chinese-Antique-Fahua-Porcelain-Figure

Chinese Fahua Porcelain Figure

 

 

Emmanuel-Manu-Peccatte lidded ovoid vessel

Incised ovoid vessel with lid – Emmanuel Manu Peccatte

 

 

 

Swirling-Ceramic-Art-by-Fenella-Elms

Swirling Ceramic Art by Fenella Elms

                 

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Amazing octopus art

 

Large-Ceramic-Octopus-Vase-by-Shayne-Greco-Beautiful-Mediterranean-Sculpture-Pottery

Large Ceramic Twin Octopus Vase by Shayne Greco, NC, USA

etsy

 

Artifacts from the ancient cities of the Grecian Archipelago and Asia Minor have depicted numerous examples of decorative motifs representing the octopus. They were a very popular artistic theme with the pottery of Crete, Cyprus, Mycenae and Troy and they were generally regarded as a sacred symbol. Octopus art also appeared in Peru and Brazil and was believed to have originated from the ancient Pacific ocean continent of Mu. Having eight legs coming from a central hub, the octopus was aligned to the mystical eight sided ‘Pa Qua’ configuration. This was also known as the Magic Square to the Egyptians or the Lo Shu square  by the Chinese, as it was first observed in China carved on the shell of an elderly tortoise which came from the Lo Shu river. The spider was also given a sacred status due to also having eight legs radiating from a central point.

 

octopus_06Wax-&-Bing-Studio

Moss green octopus – Wax & Bing Studio

Having exceptional polymorphic powers of camouflage due to being boneless and possessing a remarkable skin able to change colour, texture and patterns in a split second, the octopus can shape shift and adapt its appearance to practically anything it wants in the ocean (see video below) They were admired because this reflected the ancient esoteric belief in the metamorphic potential of human beings. Also being colour blind, they must have possessed psychic abilities to be able to interpret their surroundings so accurately. The most rigid part of their body is the eye and they can fit through anything if their eye does. They are blessed with three hearts and like to collect shiny objects off the ocean floor to make ‘octopus gardens’ around their lairs. They are considered the most intelligent of all the invertebrates.
Erik Pontoppidan, the Norwegian historian claimed that the giant kraken (octopus) posed a real danger to sailors due the whirlpool left in their wake and if the creature’s arms were to lay hold of a ship, they had the abiltiy to pull it down to the bottom of the sea. In his ‘The Natural History of Norway’ he described the kraken as “incontestably the largest Sea monster in the world” who had the ability to wrestle with a whale.
The sinuous, malleable and diverse forms of the octopus make its easily adaptable to numerous shapes, hence its popularity with artists and creators.

 

Octopus, cephalopods, kraken and tentacle spectacles

 

giant-octopus

Giant pacific octopus – arm span up to 6 metres

 

 

 

-giant_octopus_attacks_ship_copy

Kraken attacking a sailing ship

 

 

 

Skin-Changers-Closet_octopus_Kate-MacDowell-2015

‘Skin Changers Closet: octopus’  wall art – Kate MacDowell 2015

Sold @Mindy Solomon Gallery

 

 

 

Red ceramic octopus Beth-Allison

Red ceramic octopus – Beth Allison

 

 

Ellen-Jewett-green and blue octopus sculpture

Ellen Jewett

 

 

Ceramic mudka pt with blue octopus by Sue-Anderson

Octo mudka pot – Sue Anderson

 

 

Amphora-rare-octopus-vase in Art Nouveau styling

Art Nouveau octopus vase by Amphora

 

 

A-mural-by-Belgian-artist-ROA-is-part-of-the-street-art-project-‘Djerbahood’--Photograph--Mohamed-Messara-EPA

A mural by Belgian artist ROA is part of the street art project ‘Djerbahood’

Photograph- Mohamed Messara-EPA

 

 

 

It’s hard to keep a good octopus down !

 

octopus-escape-NZ

‘Inky’ looks content in this photo because he knew he would soon be back in the sea again at Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand.

The morning staff at the National Aquarium of New Zealand arrived recently to see that ‘Inky’ had done a runner in the night. The telltale tentacle tracks were on the floor, he had ‘got kraken’ through the 50 metre drain pipe which led to the sea and his freedom.

 

 

 

Ancient-Pompeii-Herculaneum-octopus-mosaic-by-Neil-Weightman-flilckr

Ancient Pompeii-Herculaneum octopus mosaic

Neil Weightman flickr

 

 

Austrian-Art-Nouveau-Octopus-Vase-by-Stellmacher-for-Amphora,-1901-02

Austrian Art Nouveau Octopus Vase by Stellmacher for Amphora

1901-02

 

llustration-for-jules-vernes-twenty-thousand-leagues-under-the-sea-1871-alphonse-de-neuville-edouard-riou

llustration for Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea – Alphonse de Neuville & Edouard Riou

1871

 

an-illustration-from-the-original-1870-edition-of-twenty-thousand-leagues-under-the-sea-by-author-jules-verne

Giant Kraken illustration from the original 1870 edition of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by author Jules Verne

 

 

Carrie-Wilson---Mosaic---You-are-Worth-a-Nickle

Octopus mosaic by Carrie Wilson

 

 

 

Ceramic-Reef-Art-By-Shayne-Greco

Octopus wash basin by Shayne Greco

 

 

 

Cephalopod-Octopus

Chilling out cephalopod

 

 

Diana-Fayt-Scrimshaw-Inspired-Works

Diana Fayt Scrimshaw platter

 

 

415x315 - Bronze-Octopus-Sculpture by Paul-Harder-is-a-west-coast-bronze-sculptor

Bronze Octopus Sculpture by Paul Harder, California, USA

 

 

 

Ancent Greek-coin-with-octopus-from-Eretria,-c

Ancient Greek coin with octopus

Eretria, c. 500-465 BC

 

 

Moss Green-octopus-vase with gold highlights by Tracy Porter

Tracey Porter

 

 

 

Harliequinnxlk octopus chest tattoo

Octopus chest tattoo

 

 

 

Huge-4ft-Mosaic-Octopus-Mosaic-Wall-Art-with-by-LucyDesignsonline

Large glass mosaic octopus by LucyDesignsonline

 

 

 

Black Octopus vase ,-Tammy-Garcia

Black vase with surface relief octopus – Tammy Garcia

 

 

Jellyfish-&-Octopus plate---Ruchika-Madan

Octopus plate – – Ruchika Madan

 

 

 

maximo-riera-pays-homage-to-animals-with-new-edition-of-chair-collection

‘Octochair’ – Maximo Riera new edition of animal chair collection

 

 

 

Monica-Pharr octopus round plate

Orange octopus plate – Monica Pharr

 

 

 

Moorcroft-Pottery-red Octopus baluster vase

Red Octopus vase  – Moorcroft Pottery

 

 

Mosaic-at-Gumalimba-Park,-Roatan,-Honduras-Susan-Ward---flickr

Large octopus floor mosaic at Gumalimba Park, Roatan, Honduras

Susan Ward—flickr

 

 

octopus_pen_toothbrush_holder_glazed_2_by_miss_mog-Devian-Art

Glazed ceramic octopus pen toothbrush holder by Miss Mog Devian Art

 

 

 

Octopus-Kissing-Face-JUG---Pottery---Raku---Folk-ART-Sculpture-BY-Mitchell-Grafton

Octopus on Face vessel by Mitchell Grafton

 

 

 

Octopus-Mosaic-of-the-Museum-entrance-from-1910-©M.Dagnino,-via-Flickr

Red mosaic octopus at the museum entrance

Musée océanographique Monaco

 

 

 

Octopus-Sculpture-Art-Realistic-Eyes-glass-octopus-by-Glassnfire---etsy

Glass Octopus Sculpture

Glassnfire — etsy

 

 

 

Octopus vase -Suzuki Miyagi

Suzuki Miyagi vase

 

 

arine-life-mosaic-from-house-viii-pompeii-demonstrating-the-vermiculatum-technique-roman-2nd-century-bce

Roman mosaic in  villa in Pompeii

2nd century BC

vase-1932-object-sotheby-s-charles-catteau-octopus

Charles Catteau octopus homage to Minoan artists

 

 

 

Sandra-Bryant-blue octopus mosaic art panel

Sandra Bryant octopus mosaic

 

 

 

Sarah-Farrelly geometric decorative pattern octpus

Sarah Farrelly

 

 

 

Seafoam--and red Octopus-sculpture-P-Y-Simpson

Octopus sculpture in seafoam and red by P.Y Simpson

 

 

 

BHLDN-Tentacled-Server-cake-stand

Tentacled server cake stand – BHLDN

 

 

 

 

Minoan-clay-bottle-showing-an-Octopus-(-1500-B.C.E.)-Archaeological-Museum-in-Herakleion

Minoan clay flask showing an Octopus, Palaikastro,

( 1500 B.C.E.) Archaeological Museum in Herakleion.

 

 

 

The-Phantasmagorical-Animals-by-Alexis-Diaz_1-–-Fubiz-Media

Octopus art by Alexis Diaz

 

 

 

Artist-Scott-Musgrove-has-clay-sculpted-Walktopus,---candle lamp

Octopus tea candle lamp sculpture –  Scott Musgrove , Seattle

 

 

 

Jennifer-McCurdy---Octopus-Jar black vessel

‘Octopus Jar’  – Jennifer McCurdy

 

 

 

Zoey-Friends ceramic octopus art

Zoe Friend, Boston

 

 

indoor_decoration_cute_octopus_stainless_steel_strong_style_color_b82220_sculpture_strong

Cast octopus desk ornament – Wangstone

 

 

 

seattle-country-day-school-mosaic-octopus

Seattle Country Day School mosaic mural octopus

 

 

 

wall octopus-key-hooks

Wall bronze octopus key holder

 

 

 

Oliver-the-Octopus---Kyle-Guymon-sager firing ovoid vase

‘Oliver the Octopus’ — Kyle Guymon  – sager fired ovoid vase

 

 

 

Ephraim-Faience-Pottery Wisconsin USA - ceramic octopus sculpture

Ephraim Faience Pottery, Wisconsin USA

 

 

ARTPOP-Ball-Tour-at-the-Madison-Square-LAdy-Gaga

Lady Gaga adorned in an octopus outfit

Artpop Tour Madison Garden

 

 

Colossal octopus by Pierre Denys de Montfort---19th-Century-drawing-depicting-a-ship-reportedly-attacked-by-a-kraken-off-the-coast-of-Angola--

 19th Century drawing of a colossal octopus by Pierre Denys de Montfort

This depicted a French ship reportedly attacked by a kraken off the coast of Angola.

 

 

Vinne- pink ocotpus-street-art

Bright pink octopus Paris street art by Vinnie

 

 

 

Red octopus yes_mural_Brooklyn_full by Yuko-Shimizu

Octopus yes mural – Yuko Shimizu

80 ft long – Dumbo, Brooklyn

 

 

 

cream-cornwall-octopus-salad-bowl-2

Octopus salad bowl – Cornwall

 

 

 

Octopui polymorphism

 

 

 

 

 

NEXT POST  —  Daily Pottery Art Feed – extended

 

 

The Art Explorer

 

 

Photos-of-Ancient-Egyptian-Monuments-More-Than-100-Years-Ago---

 

Passionate art lovers will sometimes go to extraordinary lengths to see or acquire a piece of art. Franck Goddio spent 13 years uncovering the sunken ancient Egyptian city of Thonis in the Mediterranean Sea (see below) to reveal exquisite treasures such as a grand temple of the god Amun. Whether it’s finding sunken artifacts or the chance discovery of a rare antique object at a bric-a-bac stall, there is a definite allure to searching for art and being rewarded with a find. The dedication of collectors who harbor a desire to to own a piece of art is also noteworthy. They can spend decades patiently waiting for a piece to become available and with luck manage to be triumphant at an auction. Enduring day long journeys in heat and dust to see rare statues or visit a temple is also where the dedication of the art aficionados is on display. Rising before sunrise on the weekend to get to an antique market to snare a bargain is also the modus operandi for some. Even a visit to the Paris Louvre requires a certain dedication with the long queues. Fortunately they are handsomely rewarded for their efforts. The painstaking work of archaeologists to discover and unearth mysteries from the past is admirable for their commitment.
This post presents a collection of links ranging from travel destinations for art, museums, art and antique exhibitions, pottery fairs and other guides for finding and exploring art.

 

Art exploration –  ancient and contemporary:

 

Venice Biennial 2017    13May – 26 November 2017

 

http://www.labiennale.org/en/art/2017

 

Berlin Art Week    13 – 17 September 2017

 

Berlin Art Week is a highlight on the contemporary art calendar in the German capital. For the sixth time, the Berlin art world will be hosting exhibition openings, fairs, prize award ceremonies, artist films, and numerous special events during the week. The rich variety of this fall program is made possible by the joint collaboration of institutions, galleries, artist, collectors, and project spaces and draws international attention.

 

http://www.berlinartweek.de/en/berlin-art-week.html

 

 

 

Salad Days 2017 

Saturday, July 8 from 11:00 am-3:00 pm!

http://www.watershedceramics.org/events/salad-days/

 

 

ICFF — May 21-24, 2017 Javits Center, NYC

Home

 

 

 

NGV –  Van Gogh and the Seasons

28 APR 17 – 9 JUL 17

 

‘The parsonage garden in the snow’ – Van Gogh

January 1885 Nuenen

 

 

‘Wheatfield’ June 1888 Arles – Vincent Van Gogh

http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/van-gogh-and-the-seasons/

 

 

Small Great Italian Museums

http://papale-papale.it/categoria/12/pagina/2

Art in Clay Hatfield 

18th 19th 20th August 2017 
Pottery & Ceramics Festival
Hatfield House
Hertfordshire

 

 

ceramic vessel by Daniel Boyle

 

Home: OnePage

 

 

Scvlptvre

 November 18, 19, 20  2016

Palais des congrès de Montréal.

 

terry-lazaroff

 

terry-lazaroff

Terry lazaroff

 

http://www.scvlptvre.com/

 

Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi

Sydney, Australia
20th October – 6th November, 2016

 

andreavinkovic_memoriesoftheocean_sxscott2016_clydeyee-7

 

See more sculptures here – Sculpture by the Sea – 20th Anniversary

Home

 

Biennale Interieur 2016

25th Silver Edition
14-23 October   Kortrijk, Belgium

 

 

bienneal-interior-2016-belgium

 

https://interieur.be/biennale/2016/participants/news

Berlin Art Week

13 – 18 September, 2016

 

amin-akhtar photo

Berlin Art Week

photo Amin Akhtar

 

 

http://www.berlinartweek.de/en/berlin-art-week.html

 

Plaza Art Fair

Friday, September 23, 2016 – Sunday, September 25, 2016

http://countryclubplaza.com/event/plaza-art-fair/

Degas – A New Vision – NGV – (National Gallery Victoria)

Currently running till 18th September 2016

 

edgar-degas the woman in movement

‘The Woman In Movement’ – Edgar Degas

 

Edgar Degas is one of the most celebrated artists associated with French Impressionism. The art he made over more than fifty years of constant creativity and renewal embraces painting, drawing, printmaking, monotypes, sculpture and photography, and has had an immense impact on modern and contemporary art. Modern life as he experienced it in nineteenth-century Paris provided Degas with a repertoire of motifs he explored with endless variation and innovation; from scenes of work and industry to ballet and the theatre, racecourses and boudoirs. This sweeping exhibition brings together more than 200 works by Degas from dozens of collections worldwide, offering a fresh and dynamic reappraisal of this legendary artist’s genius.

Degas

 

Le Don du Fel – 9th European Ceramic Sculpture Festival, 2016

 

Mo Jupp, Jean-Marie Borgeaud, Emma Rodgers, Michael Flynn, Michel Wohlfahrt
from the 26th of June to the 11th of August, 2016

 

 

Jean-Marie-Borgeaud sculpture head

Jean Marie Borgeaud

 

http://ledondufel.com/en/now-showing/

 

MAISON&OBJET

September 2- 6, 2016

September 3-10, 2016 – Paris Design Week

The multi-multicultural crossroads of contemporary living.

MAISON&OBJET is the major event for professionals working in the art of living in all its rich and varied expressions. The lifestyle show brings together a 360°product offering. Decoration, design, furniture, accessories, textiles, fragrances, the world of children, tableware.

 

 

Paris-Design-Week

http://www.maison-objet.com/en/paris-design-week

Futura festival, 2016

25 to 27 August

20 concerts, 1 Nuit Blanche (from midnight to 8 am),
100 speakers, for concerts in total sound immersion
1 large screen for video projections
6 performers on acousmonium: Eric Broitmann , Guillaume Contré ,Tomonari Higaki , Olivier Lamarche , Jonathan Prager and Nathanaëlle Raboisson

 

 

http://festivalfutura.fr/

 

 

 

Sublime Symmetry,  2016

 

A touring exhibition showcasing the work of celebrated Victorian Arts and Crafts designer, William De Morgan.

 

William De Morgan plate

 

1st june to 4th September 2016  –  free entry

Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens, Bark House Lane, Cawthorne, Barnsley South Yorkshire S75 4AT

Set in 70 acres of parkland, this country house museum is home to an impressive collection including ceramics, glass, furniture and Old Master paintings.  

 

De-Morgan_Sublime_symmetry-William De Morgan, Two Handled Vase with Persian Floral Decoration, 1882-1888

William De Morgan, Two Handled Vase with Persian Floral Decoration, 1882-1888

 

 

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

21 May 2016 to 21 Jan 2017 – Free Entry

 

Non Vital –

The artist’s first major retrospective in the UK brings together the work he has created in locales across the world.

 

Not-vital-heads-2014-courtesy-the-artist-photo-eric-gregory-powell

‘Heads’ – Non Vital – 2014

Photo Eric Gregory Powell

The historically designed landscape of YSP remains home to a series of monumental and imposing sculptures by KAWS

 

Yorkshire-Sculpture-Park--Kaws-sculpture

Monumental Kaws sculpture

http://www.ysp.co.uk/

 

 

Sydney Vivid 2016 – Light, Music, Ideas

27 May to 18 June

 

Lighting-the-Sails-SONGLINES-Sydney-Opera-House

http://www.vividsydney.com/?nst=0&gclid=CKPv69Tu-8wCFUccvAod_Q4Cug&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Spectacular-highlights-from-Vivid-Sydney-2016-- illuminated crocodile light sculpture

 

 

Heiva, Tahiti

Thursday 02 to Saturday, June 4 at Place To’ata.

The annual Heiva, started in 1881, is an iconic event for Polynesian culture. Dance competitions, which are some of the most important events in Heiva, are prepared for months in advance by dancers.

 

mark-sissons-heivai-tahiti--'The Hand-dance of Aparima' - Heiva, Tahiti

‘The Hand-dance of Aparima’ – Heiva, Tahiti

photo -Mark Sisson

 

http://www.tahiti-tourisme.pf/heiva/heivaheiva-des-ecoles-de-danses/programme-du-22eme-heiva-des-ecoles/

 

 

 

Mount Hagen Cultural Show 2016 – New Guinea

20th – 21st August

Tribes from all over the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea and other neighbouring tribes from the Highlands region will gather in the township of Mt. Hagen to put on exciting cultural performances.

 

 

National-Mask-Festival-New-Guinea

http://www.papuanewguinea.travel/viewservices/News.aspx?Pop=1&rqEventID=249

 

 

Venice Art Crawl – July 21, 2016

 

VENICE ART CRAWL • FRESH AIR • FRESH ART

The Venice Art Crawl’s mission is to foster and reinvigorate the creativity that has historically and currently makes Venice such a vibrant and dynamic community.

 

VAC-light sculpture-Shana-Koenig

VAC light sculpture – Shana Koenig

 

http://venicechamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/venice-art-crawl-may-2016-14087

 

5th International Biennial of Contemporary Ceramics of Sevres

from 12 to 29 May 2016 – 47 Grande Rue, Sevres, France

 

Jean-Paul-Azaïs

 

Ceramic Biennale (5th edition )

Now unavoidable, this international biennial welcomes the guests of honor Valérie Hermans and Jean-Paul Azaïs along with 42 other ceramic artists.
They share a love of nature and the earth. On clean shapes, box, nest, they drove passionate research. John Paul reveals the poetry of clay with natural glazes. Valerie works with high temperature glazes and especially celadon. Both, alchemists, playing with fire.

See more here

 

 

10 London highlights

 

London--things-to-do--10-things-most-visitors-to-London-miss

A visitor walks through an exhibition room at the Sir John Soane’s Museum in London, UK. Photo: Bloomberg

 

 

http://www.traveller.com.au/london-10-things-most-visitors-to-london-miss-goqggx

 

 

Visiting Masterpieces: Pairing Picasso

February 13, 2016 – June 26, 2016

 

 

Visiting-Masterpieces--Pairing-Picasso---Museum-of-Fine-Arts--Boston-

Picasso cubist sculpture

 

http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/visiting-masterpieces-pairing-picasso

 

 

London Gallery – Erskine, Hall and Coe

Nine Potters Anniversary Edition

30th March – 23 April, 2016

An exhibition featuring the works of Michael Cardew, Claudi Casanovas, Hans Coper, Elizabeth Fritsch, Ewen Henderson, Bernard Leach, Katherine Pleydell-Bouverie, Elizabeth Raeburn and Lucie Rie.

 

London-Gallery-Erskine,-Hall-and-Coe

Erskine,-Hall-and-Coe exhibition

 

http://www.erskinehallcoe.com/

 

Annual Michigan Regional Exhibition

May 12 – August 3

Growth-Rings-1_2015c_ValerieMaser-Flanagan_2x2WEB

 

Exhibitions

Long Beach Antique Market, USA

Long Beach Veterans Stadium – Antiques, Collectibles, Vintage items

Third Sunday of every month, next event on Sunday July 17

 

Long-Beach-Antique-fair

 

http://www.longbeachantiquemarket.com/

Art Nouveau and architecture

 

http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/11-04/eight-places-to-find-art-nouveau-around-the-world.html

 Art-Nouveau-Latvia

 

 

Discovery of sunken Egyptian city

 

Known as Thonis to the ancient Egyptians and Heracleion to the ancient Greeks the city was rediscovered in 2000 by French underwater archaeologist Dr. Franck Goddio and a team from the European Institute for Underwater Archeology (IEASM) after a four-year geophysical survey. On the sunken Island of Antirhodos, the ruins of the lost city the size of Paris was found 30 feet under the surface of the Mediterranean Sea in Aboukir Bay, near Alexandria. This city, shrouded in myth, was swallowed by the Mediterranean Sea and buried in sand and mud for more than 1,200 years.  Archeologists are now unearthing the mysteries of Heracleion, and uncovering amazingly well-preserved artifacts telling the story of a vibrant classical-era port.

 

 

Underwater-lost-city-Thonis-excavation

Egyptian statue buried underwater

 

 

 

Portrait of a pharaoh, Quartzite, 25th dynasty (712-661 BC) with characteristic traits of the statuary of the 25th so-called Ethiopian Dynasty (8th century BC).

Portrait of a pharaoh, Quartzite, 25th dynasty (712-661 BC) with characteristic traits of the statuary of the 25th so-called Ethiopian Dynasty (8th century BC).

 

 

Egyptian-underwater-excavation

Lifting an Egyptian statue from the submerged city – Monumental statue of red granite (5.4 m) representing Hapy, god of the Nile flood and symbol of abundance and fertility.

 

 

 Raising the colossal red granite statue of a pharaoh from the sea

Head of a colossal red granite statue of a pharaoh is raised to the surface.

 

 

underwater ancient tablet--Egyptian

Discovery of an ancient inscribed Egyptian tablet- The stele of Thonis-Heracleion (1.90 m), ordered by Pharaoh Nectanebo I (378-362 BC), is almost identical to the stele of Naukratis in the Egyptian Museum of Cairo.

 

 

Onlookers watch Franck Goddio and his team watch the raising of a colossal Egyptian statue of red granite from the Mediterranean Sea

Franck Goddio and his team watch the rise to the surface of a colossal statue of red granite (5.4 m) representing the god Hapy, symbol of abundance and fertility and god of the Nile flood which stood in front of the temple of Heracleion. Never before has the statue of a god of this size been discovered in Egypt, which indicates Hapy’s importance for the Canopic branch, the largest and most important of the Nile branches at that time. Hapy looks happy to be rediscovered.

 

Underwater-statue off the coast of Alexandria

 One of the finest finds in Abukir Bay is the remarkable dark stone statue of a 3rd century Ptolemaic queen, very probably Cleopatra II or Cleopatra III

 

 

lost egypt excavation by divers of monumental Egyptian statue

Recovery of monumental Egyptian sculpture – archaeologists Franck Goddio and his team inspect the colossal red granite statue of a pharaoh of over 5 metres height, weighing 5.5 tons

 

 

The-statue-of-an-Isis-priest-holding-an-Osiris-jar-found-on-the-sunken-Island-of-Antirhodos-in-the-great-harbour-of-Alexandria

The statue of an Isis priest holding an Osiris-jar found on the sunken Island of Antirhodos in the great harbour of Alexandria

 

 

lostegypt15

Above view of the colossal triad of 5-metre high red granite statues of a pharaoh, his queen and the god Hapy, dating from the 4th century BC, which stood in front of the great temple of Heracleion. They are lying on a pontoon barge together with the 17 fragments of an over 5-metre high 2nd century BC red granite stele in reassembly.

 

 

ancient-egyptian-relic

 Egyptian potter ?

 

 

 

A-diver-eye-to-eye-with-a-sphinx-made-out-of-black-granite.-The-face-of-the-sphinx-is-believed-to-represent-Ptolemy-XII,-father-of-the-famous-Cleopatra-VII.

A diver eye-to-eye with a sphinx made out of black granite. The face of the sphinx is believed to represent Ptolemy XII, father of the famous Cleopatra VII.

 

 

 

Cleopatra's-Palace-sunken-underwater,-Alexandria,-Egypt.

Majestic lion statue

 

 

 

ceramic-bowl-that-dates-from-the-1st-century-BC---1st-century-AD.-Its-shape-suggests-that-it-may-have-been-used-for-divination-rituals.

Ceramic bowl that dates from the 1st century BC – 1st century AD. Its shape suggests that it may have been used for divination rituals.

 

 

 

 

Sunken Cities – Egypt’s lost worlds

19 May – 27 November 2016, British Museum

 

 

More Franck Goddio finds

 

Porcelain dishes in blue and white appear after the sediment has been removed from the wreck of the Lena Shoal junk.

Porcelain dishes in blue and white appear after the sediment has been removed from the wreck of the Lena Shoal junk.

 

 

 

More-than-half-a-century-ago-was-flooded-Chinese-Lion-City-also-known-as-Shi-Cheng

Rediscovering Shi Cheng, a Chinese Lion City which was flooded half a century ago

All photos ©Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation, photo: Christoph Gerigk

franckgoddio.org

 

 

 

Easter Island Moai have bodies too

 

                                Revealing the whole size of an Easter-Island-stone-statue

Excavated Easter Island Moai reveals the hidden body, which got buried through mud slides.

 

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Art of  Santa Fe

 

List of Sante Fe galleries – follow link

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-d-santa-fe-main-20151004-story.html

Bijou - Lucio Lopez-Rey

Lucio Lopez-Rey

 

JCompton_vases

JCompton Gallery

 

 

LAPADA Art & Antiques Association

Click the link below for the 2016 calendar of 20 Art and Antique events

 

http://lapada.org/events/

The English-art-and-antique-fair-Olympia-interior

Olympia art and antique fair, UK

 

 

Potfest in the Park 2016 – July 29th – 31st

Fri, Sat & Sun 10am – 5pm daily

Over 100 exhibitors from all over Europe and beyond. All with very distinctive individual styles, all passionate about working with clay.

 

Potfest

  Monks Cave by Daniel Boyle - photo Christine Cox

 ”Monks Cave’ by Daniel Boyle

 

Potfest - English pottery fair

Potfest in the Park

 

'They-came-from-the-East,-bearing-gifts'-by-Ralph-Jandrell---photo-Christine-Cox

‘They came from the East, bearing gifts’  by Ralph Jandrell

Photos Christine Cox

 

 

Rodin Museum

 

http://www.musee-rodin.fr/en/musee-rodin

Musée-Rodin,-Camille-Claudel

Camille Claudel

 

Auguste_Rodin-Burghers_of_Calais-Musée_Rodin--

Burghers of Calais – Auguste Rodin

 Musée Rodin

Potters Market Seillans, France

August 15, 2016

 

marche-potier_2

http://www.potiers-seillans.com/#ad-image-1

 

Potters Market Seillans - Outdoor French pottery market

Seillans pottery market

 

 

The Madrid Art and Ceramics Fair

From 19/11/2016 to 27/11/2016. From 12:00 to 21:00.

 

http://www.ifema.es/feriarte_01/Visitantes/FeriarteColecciona/index.htm

 Madrid-Art-and-antique-fair

Madrid Art and Ceramics Fair

 

African-masks at Madrid art and antiques fair

 

 

Art Deco cities

 

http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2015-02-20/10-great-art-deco-cities-you-might-not-know-about/1

napier-nz-cr-art-deco-trust

Napier Art Deco

 

 

 

Keramisto 2016!  Netherlands

17 and 18 September

 

http://www.keramisto.nl/nl/26-laatste-nieuws/39-internationale-keramiekmanifestatie-keramisto-2016.html

Keramisto-Netherlands-ceramics-fair

Keramisto

 

London free art

 

http://www.timeout.com/london/art/free-art-in-london

Richard-Avedon---Audrey-Hepburn----1967

Photograph by Richard Avedon

 

 

European Art Nouveau

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/mar/29/10-best-art-nouveau-cities-europe-prague-budapest-glasgow

Interior-stairwell from-Riga’s-Art-Nouveau-Museum

Art Nouveau Museum, Riga

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Basel Modern and contemporary art, Miami

December 1 – 4, 2016

https://www.artbasel.com/miami-beach

Art-Basel-in-Miami-Beach_-2015_-Survey_-Bergamin-_-Gomide - Abstract painting by Roberto-Burle-Marx

Guaratiba – Roberto Burle Marx, 1989

 

 

Paris by the beach

 

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/jul/06/10-best-ways-enjoy-paris-on-a-budget

Musée-Carnavalet Musée Carnavalet. Photograph- R Ian Lloyd-Masterfile-Corbis

Musée Carnavalet. Photograph- R Ian Lloyd

Masterfile/Corbis

 

 

 

Museums and galleries of Paris

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/paris/articles/Pariss-best-museums-and-art-galleries/

best-Paris-museums

Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris

 

 

Budget Venice

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/veneto/venice/articles/Venice-on-a-budget-the-best-cheap-hotels-and-restaurants/

Venezia_-_Madonna,_S._Marco_e_S._Giovanni_-ca

Gothic relief in Venice, sculpted around 1430, showing Madonna and Child sided by Mark the Evangelist and John the Baptist,  Campo San Zaccaria

Photo by Giovanni Dall’Orto – Wikimedia Commons

 

Paris Louvre

 

The Louvre’s collection covers Western art from the medieval period to 1848, formative works from the civilisations of the ancient world, and works of Islamic art. See the collections with the link.

Sculptures---Louvre-Museum---Paris Nymph and Triton surrounded by two geniuses / Goujon, Jean

Nymph and Triton surrounded by two geniuses – Jean Goujon

http://www.louvre.fr/en/departements

If you want to avoid the queues then try using the entrance at the Porte des Lions just east of the Pont Royal; at number 99 the Rue du Rivoli; at the Arc du Carousel or directly from the Metro station Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (platform on line 1).

You can escape the queues completely by purchasing your ticket in advance at FNAC or other department stores

 

 

http://www.traveller.com.au/amazing-museums-of-the-world-welcome-to-wonderland-gmo016

The-most-amazing-museums-around-the-world-----Eli-&-Edythe-Broad-Art-Museum,-Lansing,-United-States

Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum, Lansing, USA

 

13 art trips

http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestravelguide/2015/08/13/13-art-trips-you-need-to-take/#3137149b4da8

Forbes-ArtTripsYouNeedToTake-Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Aerial View

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

 

 

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/may/18/10-best-european-museums-paris-berlin-rome

Photograph--Massimo-Listri-CorbisCentrale-Montemartini,-Rome

Centrale Montemartini, Rome

Photograph–Massimo Listri, Corbis

 

 

http://www.touropia.com/tourist-attractions-in-paris/

 

Argilla Argentona. International Ceramics Fair

1st, 2nd and 3rd July 2016

 

Ambient_fira_Argentona ceramic fair, Spain

 

 

PCatenaParades37_br

Argentona street market

 

Free Paris

 

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/paris/travel-tips-and-articles/76886

 

 

Italian cultural holidays

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/articles/The-top-10-cultural-holidays-in-Italy/

San_vitale,_ravenna,_int.,_presbiterio,_mosaici_del_catino_con_redentoretra_arcangeli,_s._vitale_ed_ecclesio,_02_san_vitale-Raverna

San Vitale mosaic, Ravenna

 

arttoursltd-pisa-tower-tuscany

Leaning tower, Pisa

 

Paris off the beaten track

 

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/may/06/top-10-art-culture-paris

Venice highlights

 

http://www.traveller.com.au/20-reasons-to-visit-venice-gniadh

San-Polo-1950

Mid Century ceramic vessel – San Polo, Venice

 

 

San-Giorgio-Maggiore-Church---Venice---The-Baroque-church-rises-on-homonymous-island;-and-it-is-visible-from-San-Marco-Square,-beyond-the-San-Marco-Bacino--

San Giorgio Maggiore Church, Venice

The Baroque church rises on homonymous island; visible from San Marco Square

 

 

The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

Federation Square, Melbourne

The home of Australian art, presenting Indigenous and non-Indigenous art from the colonial period to the present day.
General entry is free
Open 10am–5pm

 

Visit---NGV

 

Enfilade and Intrafilament, the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square

 

The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show

October 27-30

 

San Francisco Antiques fair-Patrick Mestdagh_TOADS

Patrick Mestdagh

 

 

NEXT POST  —  Amazing octopus art

 

Afrocentric Artistry

 

 

Yoruba-Olumeye-(Kneeling-Female-Offering-Bowl),-Nigeria---

Yoruba Olumeye (Kneeling Female Offering Bowl)

Nigeria

 

 

Pot With-four-handles,-earthenware-with-applied-sculptural-elements,-possibly-Igbo-people,-Nigeria--ca

 Earthenware pot with four handles,with applied sculptural elements, possibly Igbo people

Nigeria  ca. 1900-24

 

African art motives

 

In many parts of Africa there is still a vital interaction that occurs between the people, their pottery and arts, and the spirit world. Originally, all across Africa, their ceremonial art had a purpose – attracting blessings for good harvests, bringing fertility, warding off disease along with natural calamities and evil spirits and lso helping make social decisions and reaching judgments. The finished products were usually subjected to a ritualistic process to raise its presence and power. Their creative instincts are still a force in producing works that reinforce spiritual concepts ranging from the liturgical art of Ethiopia to representations of the Dogon creation myths and countless other deities of worship like goddess icons of Mama Wati. Some of the most spectacular pieces are produced specifically to be presented on their shrines. While changes in religious beliefs and practices has led to the abandonment of some art and pottery forms and traditions, in other places the ritual significance of pots and art objects still endures. These pieces were formerly placed on altars with each vessel having a very specific symbolic meaning and upholding a cohesive framework for their social and spiritual beliefs. With the unveiling of more ancient pots and artifacts through archaeology and deeper interaction in Africa, the social and mystical meanings of individual pieces are being discovered. This has been aided by gleaning knowledge about the women and men who created them and the social, economic, and spiritual contexts from which they were conceived, created, and used.

 

 

Africa---Mask-from-the-Ligbi-culture

African Ligbi culture mask

 

 

The African sculptural human forms aren’t always proportional and can exaggerate specific bodily characteristics to emphasize or draw attention to a particular aspect. The heads are quite often larger than the body with wide lips and geometrically simplified shapes and abstract figural forms being common. The 15th century Benin statues were graceful with tall and slender proportions and they liked to make bronze figures of their kings ( Onis) which were much more naturalistic in style.

Silvia Forni’s work with potters in several communities in Cameroon led her to the conclusion that from birth to death and beyond, pots are important agents in their social life. Lisa Aronson’s research into Vodun arts in Ghana revealed that the methods employed for building their everyday and ritual (Vodun) pots, can be understood as a visualization of the spiritual world, especially when seen in concert with the iconographic embellishment of the vessels. The Shona artists of Zimbabwe believe their art comes from deep within and that they are connected to a Pan African cosmology. Other African artists usually share a similar trait, their works reflecting a freedom and spontaneity typical of artistry rich in spirit.
Increased access to modern conveniences and utilitarian products have changed the demand for pottery in some African locations while other places are still thriving. Nigeria and west-central Cameroon are still pottery-rich areas while the modern Yoruba are prolific potters with origins that reach back to exquisite vessels and sculptures from their ancient past. They are still producing a diverse array of vessels that includes water containers, storage pots, ritual vessels and decorative arts. It is not uncommon to witness pottery and art objects being created with the exact techniques that have been employed for centuries. ( see here ).

Michael Cardew gave an excellent account of an African artist at work with his impressions of Lady Kwali manipulating clay:

“To watch Ladi Kwali building her pots by hand is an enlightening experience, quite as stimulating as one’s first sight of a good thrower at work. You realize with surprise that it is not necessary to have a potter’s wheel in order to achieve pots which have the appearance of perfect symmetry. One also experiences … the exhilaration of watching a craftsman who seems to be doing the impossible and to be always on the brink of disaster, yet is entirely unafraid, and entirely confident with the confidence that comes from a lifetime of devotion to the craft. Crowning all this, her personal charm radiates all her art and everything she does and seems to be the epitome of the deep-seated culture of Africa.”

 

 

Bronze weight from Baule region for gold

A bronze figural weight used for weighing gold dust used as a currency in the Baule region

 

 

 

Dan-Tribe,-Ivory-Coast,--National-Geographic,-July-1982,--Michael-and-Aubine-Kirtley

‘Dan Tribe’, Ivory Coast,  National Geographic, July 1982,  Michael and Aubine Kirtley

 

 

 

 

African-Baule-Mblo-mask-from-Cote-D'Ivoire-(via-Ethnic-hut)

Baule Mblo mask from Cote D’Ivoire, Africa

 

 

 

EthiopieeisjeMG_Omo-Valley-columbusmagazine.nl

Ethiopian Omo Valley face art

columbusmagazine.nl

 

 

 

African-Mask-from-the-Dan-people-of-Ivory-Coast-or-Liberia-Wood,-fiber,-metal--ca

African Mask from the Dan people of Ivory Coast or Liberia

Wood, fiber, metal ca. prior to 1976

 

 

Africa-Vessel-from-Chad--20th-century

Water Vessel from Chad, Africa

20th century

 

 

Kenya_Arts_Diary_Simon-Muriithi-Old-Time-Friend Simutiithi@yahoo.com

‘Old Time Friend’ –  Simon Muriithi

Kenya Arts Diary

 

 

 

Ancestor-figure---Tikar,-Cameroon

Carved wood ancestral sculpture

Tikar, Cameroon

 

 

 

Djenne-equestrian-figure,-Mali,-c

 

Djenne equestrian figure, Mali

c. 13th-16th century (terracotta)

 

 

 

African-Mask-from-the-Tikar-tribe-of-Cameroon-17inches-high-Genuineafrica-com

An African Mask from the Tikar tribe of Cameroon-17inches-high

Genuineafrica.com

 

 

 

African-mask-woman holding a child- photo by David Paul Carr

“Baba Ichanga” wearing traditional gelede mask and holding a baby Sanga village, Ketou, Benin

photo © David Paul Carr

 

 

 

Anthropomorphic jar Mangbetu-vessel-in-the-form-of-a-woman---Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo-19th-20th-century - Met, NY

Mangbetu anthropomorphic jar / vessel in the form of a woman—Democratic Republic of  Congo-19th-20th century – Met, NY

 

 

 

Vessel-for-storing-grain-Bamileke - Cameroon

Tri legged grain storage ceramic pot – Bamileke, Cameroon

 

 

 

 

Baluba-Mask-African-Mask-Art

Baluba round Mask

 

 

Anthropomorphic-cup-from-the-Kuba-people-of-DR-Congo--Wood

Wooden anthropomorphic cup from the Kuba people of DR Congo, Africa

 

 

 

A-vessel-from-the-Mambila-peoples-~-Nigeria,-Cameroon

A ceramic vessel from the Mambila peoples – Nigeria, Cameroon

 

 

African Baule-Mask---Ivory-Coast---Moon-Mask

African Baule Moon Mask—Ivory Coast

 

 

 

Ishmael-Chitiyo Reflection 39cmh

Shona abstract sculpture – ‘Reflection’ by Ishmael Chitiyo, Zinbabwe

Height – 39cm

 

 

 

Bottle,-Earlymid-20th-centuryNgbandiCongo

Bottle – Ngbandi Congo

Early mid-20th-century

 

 

 

Cameroon-black-wood-and-brass-Tikar-mask

Tikar-mask in black wood and brass

Cameroon

 

 

 

Cavalier-Bini-Edo---Bronze-du-Bénin a man riding his horse

Cavalier Bini Edo

 

 

 

Chief-holding-a-sanza,-a-musical-instrument-of-the-ideophone-family,-with-metal-keys-and-gourd-resonator

Chokwe Chief holding a sanza, a musical instrument of the ideophone family, with metal keys and gourd resonator.

20th century

photo: Werner Foreman

 

 

 

DSC_04851

Teme Bundu coming of age ritual mask

Serre Leone

 

 

 

contemporary-african-american-artists---Charles-Searles

Charles Searles

 

 

 

Ebony-Wood,-African-Bust,-African-Carved-Wood,-Tribal-Decor,-BESMO,-Kenya,

Carved ebony female bust

Besmo, Kenya

 

 

 

Fang-Mask,-Gabon Africa - tall elegant mask

Fang mask – Gabon

 

 

 

Head-with-crown,-14th---early-15th-century-copper-alloy

African female head with crown – copper alloy

 

 

 

Helmet-Mask-(Nyachi)-from-the-Kuba-people-(Kete-group)-from-the-Sankuru-River-region-of-the-DR-Congo--Wood,-pigment,-copper-alloy-ca

Helmet Mask (Nyachi) from the Kuba people (Kete group) from the Sankuru River region of the DR Congo Wood, pigment, copper alloy

ca. 19th – 20th century – Met, NY

 

 

 

John-(Silver)-Mbugua--painting

John (Silver) Mbugua

 

 

 

Ivory-Coast-tunnel-vision

Tunnel vision – Ivory Coast, Africa

1947

 

 

Janus-mask-from-the-Markha-people-of-Mali

Janus mask from the Markha people of Mali

 

 

 

African abstract painting by Kamal-Shah,-born-in-Nairobi

Kamal Shah

Nairobi, Kenya

 

 

 

Mohammed-Ahmed-Abdalla-1935-Sudan

Porcelainous stoneware vessel – Mohammed Ahmed Abdalla

1990’s

 

 

 

Ladi-Kwali-a-large-Water-Pot,-circa-1960-Height-40.6cm-(16in

Ladi Kwali – large Water Pot

circa 1960  — Height 40.6cm-16 inches

 

 

 

Zulu-earthenware pot with geometric motifs

Zulu earthenware pot

 

 

 

Malangatana-Valente-Ngwenya-was-a-Mozambican-painter

Malangatana

Malangatana Valente Ngwenya was a Mozambican painter

 

 

 

 

Mask-of-the-'mblo'-group-from-the-Baule-people-of-the-Ivory-Coast

Mask of the ‘mblo’ group from the Baule people of the Ivory Coast

 

 

 

 

Mohammed-Ahmed-Abdalla-1935 Sudan

Sudanese potter – Mohammed Ahmed Abdalla

1991

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

 

 

moses-muigai-at-nnm

Moses Muigai

 

 

 

OLD-KUBA-MASK---ARTENEGRO-Gallery

Old Kuba mask

Artenegro Gallery

 

 

NEJA2047--PAUL-LEWIN----Deviant-Art contemporary art

NEJA2047 ( Paul Lewin)

Deviantart

 

 

Peter-Gwisa Shona sculpture

Zimbabwean sculptor – Peter Gwisa

 

 

 

Oshun painting

Oshun deity of Ifá and Yoruba

 

 

RARE-PENDE-CEREMONIAL-DOUBLE-CUP---ARTENEGRO

Double ceremonial cup – Penne, Africa

 

 

 

Joe-Joseph---Lovers---lemon-opal-h78cm

‘Lovers’ – Joe Joseph

Zimbabwe shona

 

 

 

SONGYE-TWO-HEADED-FIGURE---Congo-Republic

Songye two headed wooden figure sculpture

Congo Republic

 

 

 

Kenya_Arts_Diary_2011-Tabitha-Wathuku---Angel-Of-Joy---Kenya

‘Angel Of Joy’ – Tabitha Wathuku, Kenya

Kenya Arts Diary 2011

 

 

 

Ethiopie Jump Vrouwen_Omo-Valley

Costume preparation – Omo Valley, Ethiopia

 

 

MAGDALENE-ODUNDO-1983 Carbonised-and-burnished-terracotta

 Carbonised and burnished coil built terracotta pot – Magdalena Odundo

 

 

 

 

Africa--Vessel.-Nupe-people.-ca.-1901---1989

Geometrical decorated sgraffito vessel – Nupe people, Africa

 

 

 

National-Museum-of-African-Art-Mohammed-Ahmed-Abdalla

Mohammed Ahmed Abdalla

Early in his career Abdalla drew from his knowledge of ancient Sudanese practices as well as his training in England to design utilitarian pots with delicate glazes. His later forms, with which this example belongs, are the result of bold experiments with new slips and surface treatments. This porcelaneous stoneware form was coiled, smoothed and coated with a series of glazes when it was leather hard. After the glazes dried, the pot was fired in an electric kiln. To produce the reptilian surface it was then dipped in a magnesium slip and fired again.

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

 

 

 

Statue-Calao-Senoufo---Côte-d'Ivoire Found-on-galerie-art-africain

Ibis? bird sculpture – Calao Senoufo

 

 

 

The Dick Jemison Tribal Art Collection - Birmingham Museum of Art

African ceramic pot from the Dick Jemison Tribal Art Collection

Birmingham Museum of Art

 

 

 

Yaure,-IVORY-COAST-MASK

Yaure Ivory Coast mask

 

 

 

The End of eating Everything : animated video by Wangechi Mutu

Image from The End of eating Everything : animated video by Wangechi Mutu – 2013

 

 

 

YORUBA-BOWL-AND-COVER---45cm-dia

Yoruba covered bowl

 

 

 

Anang-artist,-Nigeria---Mama-Wati-figurine-Photograph-by-Franko-Khoury

Anang artist, Nigeria—Mama Wati figurine

Mami Wata (Mother Water), is a water spirit recognized by peoples throughout Africa and the African diaspora, reflected in masks and figures that bear her likeness.

Photograph by Franko Khoury

 

 

Ceramic-Vessel,-1997-Magdalene-Odundo-Kenya-Britain-Red-clay-met

Magdalene Odundo ceramic vessel, Kenya

1997

 

 

Zaria,-one-of-the-oldes-Haussa-cities-in-the-Northern-Nigeria

Abstract relief facade, Zaria, Northern Nigeria.

© Bruno Barbey

 

 

Kenya-Arts-Diary-2014--Cyrus-Kabiru-eyeware-sculpture

Recycled eyeware sculpture by Cyrus Kabiru

Kenya Arts Diary 2014

 

 

 

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