Ceramics With A Story – The Persistence Of Memory
Art, like good food and wine, is best enjoyed when there is a unique story behind it. Which is why we’re so excited about the Persistence of Memory, a new ceramics exhibition featuring more than 50 artworks, with each evoking a sense of surreal wonder.
The exhibition, which borrows its name from a famous artwork by surrealist painter Salvador Dali, features works that contrast hardness and softness, functionality and aesthetics – while flirting with the relativity of space, time and memory.
Spier has long been on a mission to support African artists and their creations, inviting new and diverse audiences to develop a connection with art’s transformative power.
While the artworks explore notions of time and memory, Tamlin Blake, Chief Curator at Spier Arts Trust and trained ceramic artist, points out that clay itself holds memories.
“If there is a dent somewhere in the clay body, particularly with porcelain, it will manifest when it comes out of the kiln,” Blake says.
“Most of the featured artists deal with memory in their works, whether conceptually as a means of healing past hurts or physically acting as cultural recordings of historic patterns and traditional techniques.”
Notable for their tactile and textural appeal, Blake says: “There is the feeling of wanting to reach out and touch the artworks.
“What makes many of these artworks provocative is that they are everyday objects, which we infuse with a sense of meaning. They’re in our space, they have a function, they often embody emotional attachments and feelings of nostalgia, passed down from previous generations.”
The intergenerational connection is evident in this exhibition, with ancient knowledge and traditional practices weaving between modern techniques and fresh thought.
Each artwork tells a story – and that’s what Blake hopes visitors to the exhibition will experience. “Visit with a curious mind to find a story in these pieces, a narrative that resonates with you personally.”
Why not extend your visit at the farm? After the exhibition, grab a bite to eat, visit the Tasting Room or choose from a wide range of adventurous activities. There is plenty for the little ones to do, too, so bring them along.
Visitor Information:
Dates: 3 June - 13 September 2024
Times: 9:00 - 17:00
Entry to the exhibition is free