The nine Muses of Greek mythology have long been a source of fascination and, perhaps appropriately, inspiration for me. “Requiem For a Muse” is an assemblage sculpture consisting of nine Raku fired ceramic pieces which draws on both the classic Greek Chorus and the Requiem Choir of western culture to pose the question: “Which Muse, if any, is being mourned?” I can give no guidance. The answer depends upon the viewer. $450.
Raku
And All The King’s Men
And All The King‘s Men is an example of what can happen when you go into the ceramic’s studio after having watched an episode of Game of Thrones. It is a 9″ x 8″ x 6 1/2″ Raku fired ceramic sculpture that utilizes three different glazes to help emphasize the faces’ helmets, and coats of mail of the King‘s Men. In many ways it is similar to, but it is not a part of, a series of individual medieval themed pieces that I’m working on. $400.
The Penitent Pilgrim
“The Penitent Pilgrim” is an experimental piece which uses a combination of glazes and underglazes to emphasize the conflicting emotions at the heart of the piece. I see the face and body language of “The Penitent Pilgrim” as expressing sorrow and remorse while holding to hope. It is part of a medieval themed series of Raku fired ceramic sculptures. 12″ x 3 1/2″ x 6″. $175.Town Meeting
TOWN MEETING is 9 1/2”x 6 1/2′ x 7′ hand built, Raku fired ceramic sculpture that seeks to capture the spirit, essence, and passion of small town meetings. At first glance, there appears an over-all similarity, but the differences are there,and they are important to the participants.
OPPROBRIUM
OPPROBRIUM is a piece of Raku fired sculpture that named itself. The narrow twisted features of the face, the coloring and the expression of haughty reproach, disapproval and disdain are the essence of opprobrium. OPPROBRIUM will be on view from July 7, 2015 until August 29, 2015 at the JAM Gallery, 321 East King Street, Malvern, PA as part of their 2nd Annual Juried Show.
From the Well of Souls
In reality the Well of Souls actually exists. It is a cave inside the Foundation Stone under the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. But perhaps most significantly, in legend, it is the place where the souls of the dead can be heard as they await the final Judgement Day. FROM THE WELL OF SOULS, an 8’x6’x4′ Raku fired ceramic sculptural piece attempts to capture the feeling of apprehension that must accompany not knowing what the judgement will be, or even when.
THE GLORY OF WAR
There maybe many things in war: courage and sacrifice,suffering and resiliency, despair and determination; but there is no glory. THE GLORY OF WAR is not a vessel, it is a Raku fired ceramic sculpture that through the color, tonality and distortion of the faces set against the matte black of the background surface seeks to convey what the glory of war really means.
John Fansmith 