My latest curatorial project is JOY, an exhibition at my project space The Ceramic House.
An exhibition featuring an international selection of established and emerging ceramists exploring spontaneity, improvisation and intuitive making techniques. More details here.
Exhibition dates 21 November – 13 December
Virtual opening 21st November 6-7pm GMT
Virtual exhibition opening on Zoom featuring a tour of the house, introducing the current exhibits displayed in the context of Kay Aplin’s tiled installations, interviews with participating artists and extracts from the new album, The Joy of Isolation will be played (details below).
ZOOM link
https://ucd-ie.zoom.us/j/68027261760?pwd=OFArMGluNzZkalFVcytrVHhtZzJWdz09
Meeting ID: 680 2726 1760
Passcode: 996566
Online exhibition 21st November onwards on The Ceramic House website.
Exhibition open physically 2nd – 13th December
The Ceramic House will be open to the public from 11-5pm on:
Sat 5th, Sun 6th, Sat 12th, Sun 13th (no appointment necessary)
Open by appointment at other times. Book on eventbrite here or contact Kay
The Joy of Isolation
Four sound artists have been commissioned to create improvised musical/sonic performances in response to the theme The Joy of Isolation which will be complied into a digital album available on cassette and as a digital download. Created in partnership with Aural Detritus.
Visitors are invited to listen to “The Joy of Isolation” album whilst visiting the exhibition. Visitors are encouraged to bring smartphone and headphones. (Disinfected headphones also available).
Sound artists:
Blanca Regina
Embla Quickbeam
Paul Khimasia Morgan
Joseph Young
The exhibiting ceramic artists in JOY are:
Sten Lykke Madsen
Priscilla Mouritzen
Afsaneh Monemi
Robert Cooper
Janina Myronova
Rūta Bartkevičiūtė
Virginia Graham
Chris Barnes
Philomena Pretsell
Katie Netley
Kay Aplin
Sten Lykke Madsen’s work is defined by his improvisational method of hand-building coupled with random and thrilling effects achieved in the wood kiln. Each of his forms encapsulates joy in the purest sense, expressing the joy of being. Priscilla Mouritzen is also a woodfirer; she applies slips spontaneously to achieve intricate patterns that vibrate on the surface of her pinched pots. Afsaneh Monemi’s playful creations allude to fantasies and daydreams; transformations that emit positive energy and joie de vivre.
Chris Barnes’ method is wheel-throwing, intuitive by definition. Random application of sumptuous bands of colour energises his designs. Robert Cooper employs recycling as a mode of working, often using found objects as a starting point. The complex, alluring surfaces of his pieces convey new narratives harnessed from previous histories. Virginia Graham’s forms reveal an eclectic amalgamation of nostalgic form and imagery; the juxtaposition of contrasting hues and shapes radiate with intensity.
Philomena Pretsell’s creations are designed to evoke emotion; laughter and tears inform her working practice and, she hopes, those who view it. Katie Netley’s ebullient stoneware sculpture effervesces with colour and pattern and exudes humour and good cheer. Janina Mryovona views the characters she creates as graphic novels; her illustrative style etches emotions into them such as wonder, anger, fear and joy. The world portrayed within Rūta Bartkevičiūtė’s work is charged with positive energy; the essence of life permeates her bold, vivacious designs, expressing the vibrancy of being alive.
We are honoured to host this eminent selection of artists at The Ceramic House for our eighth exhibition. The vibrancy of the artwork on display is mirrored with the extraordinary, textured and colourful background of Kay Aplin’s ceramic installations that pervade the interior and exterior.
We dedicate this exhibition to Sten Lykke Madsen, who passed away in August this year, leaving a legacy of a career spanning over 60 years. This is one of the films Kay made during the lockdown (as part of her Lockdown Blog about The Ceramic House) presenting Sten’s work which is in JOY.
