Every time I visit the V&A... - part 6

...I try to make my way to level six of this impressive building. This is where the Ceramics Gallery is located. When I say 'gallery' it is actually not only one room but a strip of rooms running along entire top floor. When I came there the first time I felt that this space was endless and quite frankly, I still have the same sensation every time I make my way there.

One walks across centuries, continents, styles and colours of pots, decorative plates or vases. One room even depicts various techniques connected to ceramic-making and if lucky, can see an artist (or ceramist) in residence being in the middle of a project. Yes, there is also space for a workshop. And this is when 'The Restoration Series' by Stephen Dixon started to take shape.

Stephen Dixon's figurative works address social and political issues. In 2009 he was the ceramist in residence in the V&A when he in collaboration with the gallery visitors created a bust of queen Victoria made out of collection of ceramic shards.

This technique is seen in 'The Restoration Series', where he depicts the only three Nobel Peace Price winners who were awarded the price while in prison or detention by their country's regime.

They are Carl von Ossietsky (German pacifist, winning NPP in 1935), Aung San Suu Kyi (Burmese opposition politician, winning NPP in 1991) and Liu Xiaobo (Chinese literary critic, writer, professor and political activist, winning NPP in 2010).

In each of these three busts Stephen Dixon used materials or processes that are known to each individual's country. Even though each is a mix of all three, one has to note the determination to keep to appropriate 'language' (work process of given country).

For Aung San Suu Kyi, he used burmese terracotta, a celadon glaze for Lie Xiaobo and the clinical white of phrenology heads for Carl von Ossietsky who exposed the deeds of the National Socialist party in Germany in 1930s.

I need to add that this time, I actually visited the Ceramics Gallery on purpose. I had read an article concerning these ceramic busts and so was on a mission of finding them. My already curious anticipation was rewarded when I finally laid my eyes on them.

I did not expect the bust to be bigger than in real life but they were. Seeing their size and the outcome of the work process with my own eyes was incredible.

These ceramics are put together from fragments of cast and glazed pieces that were first analysed from a clay model, then a plaster mould was taken and made into sections to be eventually assembled to create the busts. This process leaves a certain uncertainty with creating the final piece but once put together the effect is so striking.

I can imagine this process to be so time-consuming but can also see where the title also comes from. These busts and their character are restored on more than one level. And for me, to read about them first, see them with my own eyes and study more afterwards has been an inspirational journey.

Have a nice day and enjoyable week and see you next time. K-)