Humble Mud
Oh to work with simple materials and processes!
While reading David Robert’s, In Search of the Old Ones, i discovered the research and creative work of Clint Swink.
Clint’s Messages from the High Desert, The Art, Archeology and Renaissance of Mesa Verde Pottery, describes through hundreds of drawings and photos the process knowledge needed to replicate Anasazi black-on-white and corrugated pottery.
Thinking of Mimbres black-on-white drawings on clay brings to mind David Brigman’s terra sigillata and underglazed earthenware pieces. Neolithic Persian and Mesopotamian pottery also influence David’s work. Google Images for “Neolithic pottery.”
David Brigman, shallow bowl drawing on terra sigllata, 7" dia.
David Brigman, shallow bowl drawing on terra sigllata, 7" dia.
David Brigman, platter drawing underglazed earthenware, 17.5" dia.
. . . and one of my black and whites + grey:
Mel Ristau, Tree of Life, 1999
Years ago i experimented with incorporating figurative painted earthenware elements into small sculptures. Revisiting those materials with Swink’s helpful book in hand is of keen interest . . . painting with yucca brushes, different clay body and slip + trench kiln firing . . .
black-on-white earthenware heads
A refresher course in “humble mud” is appealing. Looking forward to a Swink workshop, re-grounding and de-digitizing my synapse.
Thought provoking and visually appealing. Nice. Van
Van Ristai said this on November 17th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
For some reason I keep thinking of Arthur Ganson’s exploding and reassembling chair while I look at the post. It must be the connection between your kinetic work with the mobiles (shards) and the completeness of the earthenware work. Beautiful and compelling. David’s graphics are really wonderful and timeless, it’s nice to encounter them again. Thanks for the post! I’m looking forward to more. – Jacob
Jacob said this on November 21st, 2009 at 11:21 pm