Jenny Southam
The most recent area of inquiry within my current practice are the ‘Knitting Pattern Folk’. These explore, as the name suggests, those wonderful and innovative vintage knitting patterns which were part of my domestic childhood.
Having collected them for decades, fascinated by the curious dramas portrayed in the weirdly surreal photographic tableaux, these new pieces use the images as starting points to explore the interaction between figures, props, and backdrop. They reference similar concerns as my other ceramics; that of the juxtaposition of figures to each other or to their surroundings. I see each piece as a psychological drama, with some unseen narrative enacted within the arena.
The intimate size of each of these tableaux offers a more immediate conversation, establishing connections between the maker and the modelled figure, and the figure and the viewer. I have taken pleasure in using a looser, intuitive, and more painterly approach also to the clay's surface.
Candelabra
Carefree
Attic Fanatic
Hand built from terracotta. Decorated with slips and stains.
THE PANDEMIC EFFECT
In March 2020 I was working flat-out in the run-up to a large ceramic fair. The fair was cancelled at the 11th hour; the country came to a screeching halt at lockdown, and suddenly all pressure and accompanying adrenaline instantly evaporated.
The weather was so fine that I almost immediately developed a routine of walking daily with my family up a hill which afforded fine views over Devon, and carrying out some hugely enjoyable sketchbook drawing. Despite the unfolding horror around the world it was a strangely blissful time. To witness the unfolding and transformation of nature throughout the seasons this year has felt like a real privilege. Likewise to spend more valuable domestic time with my family.
I have taken the opportunity during these uncertain times to give myself the permission and space to push my ceramic work out in new directions, whilst also continuing to explore my latest thread of work - that being the Knitting Pattern Folk. The pieces exhibited here are part of this thread.
One cannot live through these times without remaining unaffected and uncertainties within my work have definitely arisen. The artistic community provides a strong support and inspiration for us all.