FRAGMENTED FIGURE
Account of the Scholarly Exhibition at the Centre of Ceramic Studies, Cardiff

Forward to Exhibition

The subject of fragmentation achieves a breadth of interpretation lost in a more general discussion of the figure in art. It encompasses both literal and metaphoric perspectives, historic and contemporary aesthetics and incorporates engagement with other fields for example, psychology, anthropology and archaeology. The subject of fragmentation reveals this diversity within the selected artworks, albeit not necessarily the main focus of the artists practice.

The main aim of the project was to examine figurative ceramics as deeply as possible, for this reason, the artists selected had already been the subject of earlier research by members of the curatorial group, or whose work was already well known to them, thus avoiding the time which may otherwise have been necessary on familiarisation. The intention was also to reflect the breadth of contemporary engagement with the figure in ceramics.

In the documentation that follows, images of each artist's exhibited artwork are set out in turn, and accompanied by discussion of the ways fragmentation may play a key role in the subject or theme of their artwork, where material properties and the processes used to transform them may lead to various forms of fragmentation and the ways in which fragmentation may significantly impact upon their expression.

The analysis focuses upon the identification or teasing out of key incidents; forming an initial interpretation and beginning to situate each artist's' practice within existing contemporary discourse. The discussion and initial findings provide significant insights and understandings which will form the basis for conference papers and journal publications, as well as future research by members of the curatorial group.

Analysis of each artist's work is followed by their personal statement and links to their curriculum vitae. This section is followed by samples of interviews with each artist. There is exception to this format in the documentation of Babette Martini and Christie Brown's practices. Both Martini and Brown discussed the subject of fragmentation in relation to their own practice for presentation at the Fragmented Figure conference, the section documenting their work draws extensively from this. To appreciate their papers in full go to: www.interpretingceramics.com

Curators of the Exhibition:

Dr Natasha Mayo
Lecturer and lead researcher for exhibition project

Michael Hose
Principal Lecturer

Babette Martini
Research Assistant

Dr Jeffrey Jones
Researcher/ Lecturer

All of curatorial team are based in the Centre for Ceramics Studies, Cardiff School of Art and Design, University of Wales, Cardiff.