Eleni Kyriacou

Sep 26, 2023

STRANGE CLAY, THE HAYWARD | CERAMICS’ ASCENTION INTO ARTFORM

I really enjoyed this magnificent ceramics exhibition at the Hayward earlier this year. Similarly to how I discussed the change I have noticed in the elevation of textiles as an artform at the 59th Venice Art Biennale; here too the same evolution struck me in the field of ceramics.

Betty Woodman, House of the South, 1996

Similar to textiles, ceramics was once seen as a “decorative art” or in the case of studio ceramics, even though ceramicists such as Lucie Rie and Hans Coper were revered, their creations were still ones that could normally also serve practical function – such as by being a vessel or dish of some kind and so on. The idea that the medium of clay could be used to create sculptures, reliefs, installations and so on is what has come about much more recently and opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for ceramicists (or ceramic artists). I had begun to notice this development in the 59th Venice Art Biennale, and in my blog discussing surface design, I discuss a ceramic installation that really stood out. This exhibition at the Hayward felt like a continuation to what I had started seeing at the Biennale.

Woody de Othello

Lindsy Mendick, Till Death Do Us Part, 2022

One of the things I have always loved most about ceramics is the way textures can be explored through the sculpting of the clay itself but also through the varying use of glazes. If we consider the main component of ceramic glaze is glass, then in fact when we talk about ceramics we are also took about the incorporation of glass.

David Zink Yi, All my Colors, 2019-2022

Lubna Chowdhary, Sign, 2021-2022

Liu Jianhua, Regular / Fragile, 2002-2003

There were incredible pieces on display, the one that really stood out to me was the giant squid. The ceramic medium has been used to create an incredible effect of a pool of dark liquid as well as the smooth marble like, watery coloured amazing texture of the squid itself. It was one of the most sumptuous and engaging sculptures I have ever experienced.

David Zink Yi, Untitled (Architeuthis), 2010

Another piece that stood out to me was Rachel Kneebone’s “Quill”. It’s movement and intricate foliage design and overall composition immediately brought to mind the Apollo and Daphne that I have previously written about. It also generally reminded me of Italian Baroque art.