Ceramic Sculpture - Circe Sculpture

Classical Greek Art, Literature, History, Myths and Legends and the many traditions of Ancient Greece have always fascinated me. Ancient Greek vases and the wonderful collection in the British Museum in London give great enjoyment and suggest endless opportunities for creativity. They depict fabulous stories of Gods, heroes and many characters and the adventures they undergo exploring universal themes just as relevant today. Circe is a good example. In Homer’s Odyssey Circe is a sorceress on the island of Aeaea. She turns men, who are attracted by her, into pigs and other animals. Odysseus is kept for a year until eventually he is saved by Hermes who gives Odysseus Holy Moly, a magic herb, that enables him to resist Circe. For some, a postmodern view is that she actually returns men to their true nature. Oh, surely not! The sculptures are made with a direct honesty to the nature of the material. Clay is a wonderful material that can be pulled, squashed, shaped and squeezed. It takes an impression like no other material and, being a basic "earth" material, it is a joy to work with. Natural and manufactured objects are used to make impressions and produce strong textures. The work shows the way as it progresses into a finished piece. The hand becomes as important as the eye and the mind. The nature of the clay and the design means there are lumps and bumps and various marks. This rugged affect is all part of the charm of the work. I use white stoneware clay and make using slab and coil building techniques. The work is then fired twice in an electric kiln, the second firing to over 1200c. Decorated with oxides, engobes and glazes. Lovely to hold – they have a great “feel” about them. Each piece is hand built and totally unique. Suitable for interior and exterior locations. Signed underneath with my signature stamp. Certificate of Authenticity included. Any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.