In 1982 Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder recorded “Ebony and Ivory”, a number-one single. Subsequently, Paul McCartney also recorded the song with Michael Jackson. Since I can’t sing and have no musical ability, there are no audible elements to my EBONY AND IVORY, only visual ones. Hand built and raku fired using my own paper clay, EBONY AND IVORY is 7” x 6” x 5”.
DEJECTION, like all the three dimensional pieces in the “Cognitive Emotions” Series relies on the primary contour of the piece to evoke a particular emotion and the glaze pattern and color to explore the role of cognition in that emotion. In DEJECTION the figure is erect but the head has a downcast aspect and a subdued and somber color. Hand built and raku fired using artist made paper clay. 15” x 12” x 11” on an MDF base.
In REMORSE, part of the “Cognitive Emotions” Series, the slumped posture of the figure and inclination of the head project the emotion and the color of the head in relation to the overall color of the figure signifies the importance of cognition in this emotion. Hand built and raku fired using artist made paper clay. 10 ½” x 8” x 7” on an MDF base.
In VIGILANCE, part of the “Cognitive Emotions” Series, the primary contour is intended to convey a sense of alert watchfulness while the colors within the piece indicate that this is a controlled emotion with a strong cognitive element. Hand built and raku fired using artist made paper clay. 10 ½” x 8” x 7” on an MDF base.
To me, skepticism is one of the emotions with the greatest amount of thought involved in it. In SKEPTICISM, part of the “Cognitive Emotions” Series, the cognitive element, represented by the bright gold/copper color of the head and upper part of the figure, is the dominant feature of the piece with the more nuanced “emotional” colors taking a secondary role. In profile the figure is leaning back and away from what is being presented and the head is inclined slightly but skeptically. 16” x 12” x 10 ½” on an MDF base.
REVULSION is one of the strongest pure emotional pieces in the “Cognitive Emotions” Series containing the least cognitive involvement. The figure is twisted, turning away and pulling back from what is in front of it – an instinctive and unthinking reaction. The color is strong and consistent throughout the piece showing the depth of the emotion. Hand built and raku fired using artist made paper clay. 10 3/8” x 8” x 7” on an MDF base.
SANDS OF TIME – PORTRAIT OF A MENTOR is a mixed media sculptural piece combining a hand-built, raku-fired ceramic head with a glass tile base. This piece, for me, evokes the image of an artifact emerging from the sands outside Luxor. The rest of the title comes from my mentor (and friend) Carol Stirton-Broad, who happened to wear an outfit on the day I was finalizing the design that reflected the pattern, the color and the tone of the tiles I was planning to use for the base. 18″x5.5″x7.5″,
Until recently, cognition and emotion were thought to be separate elements. Now, new research indicate a strong relation with cognition affecting emotion. HESITATION is part of my “Cognitive Emotions” series, in which the primary contour of a piece is intended to suggest or evoke a human emotion such as surprise, elation, or skepticism and the glaze to create a secondary contour showing the interplay between cognition and emotion. HESITATION is hand-built and raku-fired using a smooth variation of my own artist-made paper clay and a high-gloss/high-reduction raku glaze, set on a MDF base. 15″ x 9″ x 9″.
ANGER MANAGEMENT is a hand-built and raku-fired part of my “Expressive Hands” series, using a rough, textured version of my own artist-made paper clay and mottled raku glazes to emphasize tension between the deep anger expressed in the form of the upper hand and the restraining effect of the lower hand. 9″ x 7″ x 7″ on an MDF base.
Another of the “Hooded Figures”, TEMPLAR is one of the most detailed and representational ones so far, specifically referencing the Knights Templar of the 11th to 14th centuries, and equipped with helmet, chain mail, spear, sword and shield. Hand built and raku fired paper clay on a hand cut MDF base, TEMPLAR is 7 ½” x 5” x 4”
John Fansmith 