POT OF THE MONTH
SABLE VESSEL FORM
We have chosen this piece by
Ashraf Hanna for several reasons. It is one of a number of pots in the current
show – CERAMICS NOW - which I have found quite mesmeric. It has great presence;
the cushion like quality of the work gives it an ‘otherness’ which I find
difficult to define. Secondly, there have been more
conversations with visitors to the gallery about this piece than any other. I
should also add a statement of the obvious - it is technically superb.
Ashraf’s new vessels are very
different from the familiar Hanna sculptural pieces which are tightly
controlled and so often geometrically patterned. Here we have the antithesis;
organic simplicity, elegance of line and neutral colour with a hint of shading
to emphasise the form. Its shape-shifting quality from the rectangular base and
vertical to the ovoid body is nothing less than alchemical. This is hand
building of the highest order – and yet how it is made is irrelevant. This is
ceramic art at its finest.
You will surmise that Stuart, our Ceramic Curator is
smitten with this wonderful object – you would be right!
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