This stunning, one-of-a-kind ceramic sculptural vessel "Interplay" is handmade by Vermont artist Beth Armour.
Approximately 23.5x8x6
"I am fascinated with the relationship between a group of objects. The playful interaction of the pieces within a grouping invokes a quiet dialogue. The negative space allows space for the dialogue to pause, to catch one’s breath, creating balance and rhythm. The Japanese have a concept called ‘Ma’, which roughly translates to the space between the edges. As the Japanese author and cultural critic Junichiro Tanizaki put it back in 1933: “we find beauty not in the thing itself but in the patterns of shadows, the light and the darkness, that one thing against another creates.”
My hope is that beauty is found not only in each piece, but that this beauty is enhanced with the interplay of the different shapes."
Description of technique used on sculptural work:
Each piece is formed from porcelain slabs and shaped to get the desired curves and angles. Once dry, the piece is sanded to a smooth surface. Terra sigillata is then applied to the bone-dry piece. Terra Sigillata is an ultrarefined clay slip created by defloculating clay and syphoning the fine layer of clay that settles between the water and the sediment. A variety of clays are used to create different colors. After application, the piece is polished to create a soft sheen and no further glazing is needed. These pieces are fired to 2235° F and watertight.
