by alexandra harley
painted ceramic, coloured wire on steel armature
h: 38 w: 56 d: 39 (cms).
Clymdych is a constructed ceramic sculpture made from multiple elements that are tied into position with coloured wire. I try to generate a sense of movement in my sculptures and capture a particular moment. With clay, I make use of the potential to fold in on itself, creating an internal energy pulsing through a complex construction. The warped, folded, squeezed and buckled fired clay is then held in tension by wire. The wire pulls taut against the organic and more fluid clay, encasing the individual elements and compressing the space between them as it pulls the pieces together. Each unique piece of clay is brought alongside its neighbours, simultaneously jostling for position and cradled against each other. They are held in place by the binding but still wanting to break free from the constraints. The bindings play a dual role indicating a direction and development of movement as well as containing the movement within.
by alexandra harley
painted ceramic, thread, on wood
h: 16 w: 14 d: 12 (cms).
Vinculum is a constructed and painted ceramic sculpture, tied together with thread. Delicate, individual clay elements were cut and shaped; the cut sides of each piece contrasting with the fluidity of the folds. Each junction is bound together allowing the bent and twisted clay to take off in a new direction before being restrained again. The space between the clay elements is compressed, each unique piece of clay is brought alongside its neighbours, jostling for position and both cradled against each other, held in place by the thread but still wanting to break free from the constraints. The compressed space becomes an active and significant component with a taut physical presence and a significantly physical role in the sculpture.
by alexandra harley
painted ceramic and thread on concrete
h: 22 w: 17 d: 15 (cms).
Arrosa is a constructed and painted ceramic sculpture, tied together with thread. Delicate, individual clay elements were cut and shaped; the cut sides of each piece contrasting with the fluidity of the folds. Each junction is bound together allowing the bent and twisted clay to take off in a new direction before being restrained again. I used the thread to travel across the space as well as tying individual parts. I used a pink spray paint which has affected the thread and distorted the smooth line it would otherwise have. The thread has cocooned the sculpture, which writhes and twists inside the coarse outer threads. Individual parts of the sculpture are linked to its neighbour by proximity and to other areas with the thread. The concrete base is asymmetrical and has a loose wash colour.