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Thursday, May 22, 2014

Art Imitating Art...

Whilst spring cleaning my study last week I came across some leaflets from a long forgotten visit to Barcelona back in 2002. At the time it was a rather poignant trip since it took place over the mothers day weekend and I'd lost my mum 6 weeks earlier. I was in two minds as to whether to even go but as it turned out it was the best thing I could have done. Barcelona is a joyful city and a complete assault on the senses for anyone with a love of culture and art with so much to see, including the wonderful medieval quarter...


The fabulous Boqueria market...


And probably most famously the distinctive Catalan Modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudi who integrated crafts like ceramics, stained glass, wrought iron and carpentry into his designs as  here at the Casa Batllo
 





Gaudi introduced a new technique to the treatment of materials called trencadís which used waste ceramic pieces in mosaics like these in Parc Quell...




As you've probably guessed I became totally distracted looking at these souvenirs are started thinking about how I could use this as inspiration for my own work. Having resisted the urge to break up the china in the house to make real mosaics I managed to grab a few minutes in a busy schedule to play around with getting a mosaic effect from clay.

Whilst I wanted to try a relatively authentic process by layering small pieces of clay onto a base, I was also aware that mosaic work is a slow process so I decided to try carving the clay to look like a mosaic as well just for comparison. In the end it wasn't that much quicker as it was quite difficult to get the pieces to look authentic...my brain seemed to want to make it too orderly.

Unfortunately I forgot to take any photo's of the making process but here are a couple of pendants I made - one layered and one carved...can you tell which is which.?


This is another piece which has already been bisque fired and glazed ready for it's second firing. I'd got into the swing of it a bit with this one and was a bit less heavy handing cleaning up so the pieces fit more closely.


I used different types of glaze on each one and some worked better than others but that's all part of the learning curve.  And this is how they finished up - maybe not exactly Gaudi-esque but I like them and I think there is mileage to develop the style further so I shall continue to play.





And of course - any I don't like I can smash up and use to make a new line of Trencadis components!

Has any of your work been influenced by your travels to foreign climes - we'd love to hear from you if it has.

Lesley


15 comments:

  1. I am a big fan of Gaudi's work and I love crazy china inspired products. He is one of the few artists who made a big impression on me in college

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  2. Absolutely LOVE this post - your new pieces are amazing and unique. I can't wait to see what comes next in your new mosaic style!

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  3. Love your new work.. great post!

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  4. Love these. especially the round one in bright colours, Gaudi meets Mondrian.

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  5. Wow they are all gorgeous!! The patina on that one building is fantastic. Love your new work! Really beautiful!

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  6. Thanks so much for the Barcelona trip! What great buildings and architecture! I think I like the round one best, with the dark background. It gives a very crisp feel for me, but they are all such a testament to your skill Lesley. What a wonderful way to transition one field into another.

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  7. OMG Leslie! Your pieces 'took me' right to Barcelona! They are fabulous!

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  8. Your new pendants are beautiful and interesting---thanks for showing what you are working on and what inspired you!

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  9. These are fabulous Lesley! I don't know how anyone could come back from a vacation like that and NOT be inspired! I know I would have a hard time making mosaics with that lovely broken-up random look—I would totally find myself making them "orderly" for sure! I haven't really traveled at all, but love to go hiking when I get the chance. Last Sunday I spent a good few hours wondering the woods here and walked back to hidden creek that I hadn't visit in a few years. It's such a peaceful feeling to be out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the calmness and wonder of nature—I'm inspired and rejuvenated for sure! Thanks for sharing your new inspirations and adventures in clay!

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  10. I've always wanted to see Barcelona and your pics capture the colors and beauty of the 'trips' I take in my imagination spurred on by images I find during my web wanderings.
    I am so very smitten with your mosaics. I can't wait to snag a few of my own to create with; they are oh so playful looking. Great post and am looking forward to more pieces.

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  11. The pendants are amazing!! I love the look of the 'fractured' colors. Also the architecture is great… would love to see all that in person. Looks like it was great inspiration.

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  12. What a fascinating idea Lesley!! I love these--you could give these any ethnic or cultural flavor you wanted. I especially love the round one--must be the lime and navy blue. LOVE your pictures from Barcelona, makes me want to go there! What a sad loss that preceded it, but I'm sure your Mom would be heartened by the idea of your soul being filled with beauty while you were also mourning her loss and missing her.

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  13. Fantastic blog, pictures are fantastic and your work is great!

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  14. Fab post....and fab pieces! Are you going to be selling them?

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