STEPHEN BOWERS: Jamais Vu
Lauraine Diggins Fine Art presents JAMAIS VU - an exhibition of work by internationally recognised ceramicist Stephen Bowers. Based on the opposite of Deja Vu, Bowers explores the feeling that one has never seen before something that should be quite familiar and this notion of missing the known, the should-be-familiar or the obvious, is an appealing aspect of his richly ornate ceramics. The highlight of the exhibition is the remarkable Camouflage Series dining setting comprising entree, dinner and serving plates which feature parrots against a complex background of shapes, exploring the idea of pattern-in-nature and nature-in-pattern. Segments of botanical designs, often derived from William Morris wallpaper, are symbolic of the colour and beauty of the natural world and its appropriation into the human environment. Stephen's work draws on classical ceramic heritage and Australian imagery, tinged with his particular sense of humour and wit. View the exhibition on-line at www.diggins.com.au
Venue: Lauraine Diggins Fine Art
Address: 5 Malakoff Street North Caulfield Victoria AUSTRALIA
Date: 12 November - 10 December 2016
Web: www.diggins.com.au
: www.facebook.com.lauraine.fineart
: www.facebook.com/LauraineDigginsFineArt/
Address: 5 Malakoff Street North Caulfield Victoria AUSTRALIA
Date: 12 November - 10 December 2016
Web: www.diggins.com.au
: www.facebook.com.lauraine.fineart
: www.facebook.com/LauraineDigginsFineArt/
Lauraine Diggins Fine Art is proud to present JAMAIS VU - an exhibition of work by internationally recognised ceramicist Stephen Bowers.
Based on the opposite of Deja Vu, Bowers explores the feeling that one has never seen before something that should be quite familiar, that one looks at something familiar, like a common word, it strangely seems meaningless or unrecognised. Bowers looks over a lot of the overlooked in his work, so this notion of missing the known, the should-be-familiar or the obvious, is an appealing aspect of his richly ornate ceramics.
The highlight of the exhibition is the remarkable Camouflage Series dining setting comprising entree, dinner and serving plates which feature parrots against a complex background of shapes, exploring the idea of pattern-in-nature and nature-in-pattern. Segments of botanical designs, often derived from William Morris wallpaper, are symbolic of the colour and beauty of the natural world and its appropriation into the human environment.
Incorporating ideas of tromp-l'oeil, natural history, decorative arts, historical reference and personal commentary, the series strikes a thought-provoking balance between consumption, use and display. With their fragmented imagery, the plates suggest the possibilities of larger stories. The delicacy inherent in ceramics is almost overcome by the opulent ornamentation with its shimmering gold and layers of patterning, revealing the mastery of Bowers' technique.
Following on from his Australia-wide touring exhibition Beyond Bravura (2013-2015) this exhibition features a selection of Stephen's work completed over the last few years revealing the quality and craftsmanship of the pieces themselves, as well as the imagery drawing on classical ceramic heritage and indigenous sources, in particular Australian flora and fauna, tinged with his particular sense of humour and wit.
Based on the opposite of Deja Vu, Bowers explores the feeling that one has never seen before something that should be quite familiar, that one looks at something familiar, like a common word, it strangely seems meaningless or unrecognised. Bowers looks over a lot of the overlooked in his work, so this notion of missing the known, the should-be-familiar or the obvious, is an appealing aspect of his richly ornate ceramics.
The highlight of the exhibition is the remarkable Camouflage Series dining setting comprising entree, dinner and serving plates which feature parrots against a complex background of shapes, exploring the idea of pattern-in-nature and nature-in-pattern. Segments of botanical designs, often derived from William Morris wallpaper, are symbolic of the colour and beauty of the natural world and its appropriation into the human environment.
Incorporating ideas of tromp-l'oeil, natural history, decorative arts, historical reference and personal commentary, the series strikes a thought-provoking balance between consumption, use and display. With their fragmented imagery, the plates suggest the possibilities of larger stories. The delicacy inherent in ceramics is almost overcome by the opulent ornamentation with its shimmering gold and layers of patterning, revealing the mastery of Bowers' technique.
Following on from his Australia-wide touring exhibition Beyond Bravura (2013-2015) this exhibition features a selection of Stephen's work completed over the last few years revealing the quality and craftsmanship of the pieces themselves, as well as the imagery drawing on classical ceramic heritage and indigenous sources, in particular Australian flora and fauna, tinged with his particular sense of humour and wit.