Paul Philp Relief 3
Handmade in England
Dimensions: W 1.5cm x L 46.5cm x H 38.5cm
Materials: Stoneware; China clay and Devon ball clay on board
Method: Hand built
Care: Dust lightly
Description
This sculptural relief composition brings together cool neutral tones and geometrical form to present harmonious balance. The central composition is placed raised on a wooden board. This backdrop is given a white hue through the use of clay as paint, with a raised edge to create a framing. The central rectangular panel is divided in two – on the left, a series of grey slats are placed horizontally, separated slightly to create shadows that emphasise the geometry and pattern. To the right, a melding of tones come together to bring a textural quality and patterning, with strokes of brown breaking through tones of grey. A white half circle comes out from the centre, cutting into the textural layer, and brings unexpected curvature to the otherwise linear composition. Carved within this circle is a miniature black circle. Philp’s palette of earthy hues grounds his works and forms a connection to the earth and natural world. Both the simplicity and the elegance of the composition emits a meditative calm.
About the Artist
Paul has been working with clay for over forty years and over that time has experimented with a variety of materials and techniques, some of which have never been tried before. This has resulted in equal measures of delight and frustration as some attempts work and others fail. It’s not an easy task especially as each of his pieces face, what he calls an “unknown future”, as various “breakdowns” (unpredictable cracks and fissures) occur as they are fired multiple times in the kiln. However, this is all part of Paul Philp’s unique creative process. It’s very important to him that each of his pieces develop into something that have their own individual character and identity. He wants them to have a life beyond him and soon after he starts to create them, they should continue on a journey of their own. We are attracted to this idea and hope that as owners and inheritors of his pieces that they will continue their journey in our own homes and beyond.
