portal

Handbuilt terra-cotta, wooden Afghan holder piece of furniture, domesticated palm trees, The work, Portal, is a large ceramic terracotta abstract sculpture in the shape of a crown, or a threshold, or a bridge. There is a familiarity in its voluptuous rainbow shape, and its naked terracotta finish. After contemplating the structural clay phase of this form, I was moved to create an abstraction within the surface by merging two line drawn interconnected Mexican iron casted chairs. The surface around the two interconnected drawn forms serve as an opportunity to emphasize a floral abstracted pattern with glazes that are similar to the “Fantasia” Mexican pottery designs, used in the 1930 and 40s as an everyday dinner ware set-in middle-class society in Mexico.  These particular designs depict flora and fauna of the Mexican Republic in different colorations, mainly found in dark blue, light green and yellow glossy glazes, against darker or naked backgrounds (Imports). Before 1930’s, before Mexican crafts was recognized so highly by other countries, especially the United States, where many common dinner ware sets were very bland and simple. It was not until an international audience started seeing value on this side of Mexico, that Mexican themselves started to see the value too. With Fantasia decorations, the designs were meant for tourists and higher, more-elevated Mexican society. I utilized the line drawings of the interconnected two chairs placed on the surface of the rainbow/crown shaped clay sculpture as creatures/characters, in the same manner Fantasia designs do in functional red clay ceramic dinner wares. The chairs create an unusual pattern that no longer has any remnants of an object or clear drawing. Perceived reality can work within these same parameters at times, as we are so close to the object that we lose perspective and can no longer see the subject objectively. The object and symbol of a chair for me has always been a feminine symbol, a symbol of support and beauty all at once. Mexican iron decorative chairs are iconic and almost essential in the patio area where social gatherings happen. These chairs facilitate social engagements and possess a classic design that encompasses both strength and decorative pride. Portal explores the contextual nature of perception. It is a way of exploring the comforts and warped sense of reality I might experience depending on where I stand.