BBC 4 Ceramics: A Fragile History

As I was searching for something to watch on TV, I came upon this new series and watched with interest.

I was particularly enthralled and moved by the work of John Dwight, a 17th Century artist. His daughter died at the age of six; after her death he sculpted two figures of her. They are exquisite pieces of work that touched me.

Images from the BBC website

 

Another artist featured on the programme was Paul Scott who fashioned a commemorative plate for an important event that was taking place in our countryside, namely the Foot and Mouth epidemic. Paul Scott stated that he wanted to respond to this catastrophe and honour the cows that were being slaughtered and sacrificed.  He said that when he saw the images of cows being burned on television, he saw their feet as dancing in the flames.

The programme showed that ceramics enable us to recall history. Pieces have been made to commemorate all kinds of historical events from the Royal to the ordinary person celebrating weddings and birthdays etc.  They give us an insight into historic moments.

I had not thought of ceramics in this way but this art has been in our ancestry for 1000's of years. It has been a strong, practical and useful as well as an art form. Working with clay is to work from the source. One of the artist being interviewed said that all work created by hand can be viewed as a cleansing of the soul. Being creative frees the mind and allows the spirit to take control. Once the cognitive skills have been learned and practised, perfection can ensue. The artist is free to create what he feels.