The concept for this exhibition, ‘One Kilo’ was sparked by an experimental assignment given to five emerging ceramic practitioners whilst undertaking their first year of studies (BA in Fine Art) at Hong Kong Art School. One kilogram of malleable clay was given to each artist. They were encouraged to explore it, to challenge their existing perception of clay, and to discover extreme possibilities away from conventional clay-making. They all started from the same point for this exhibition yet arrived at very different and creative results.
Clay is the major material for ceramic art. Clay may have a heavier visual weight than physical weight or vice versa. Clay is a unique material as compared to other materials; it gains or loses weight depending on the moisture enclosed as well as the firing processes it undergoes. So when is the correct time to determine the weight of a piece of clay? Or, is the more important issue actually beyond the weight?
Using ‘weight’ as the ignition point for this exhibition, the concept of “One Kilo” has travelled beyond the obvious. With imagination and exploration these ceramic artists have enhanced their own practice and created work that is meaningful and memorable.
Jonathan TSANG Yat Wing’s piece A Litre of Tears explores the notion that emotions have weight. “We often talk about something being light-hearted or someone having a heavy heart. I created a series of books that represent the letters written by soldiers during wartime“ states Jonathan.
Weighty Propositions by Geoffrey Palmer plays with the notion that weight cannot be seen. Geoff’s work intends to mislead the viewer by balancing objects precariously upon each other in seemingly impossible arrangements.
Kate SIU Man Kit’s work for this exhibition takes the form of a daily diary. Kate recorded the conversations that she had with her Japanese Sensei during a week in December. He Makes Me Love Clay translates their daily dialogue into objects.
Sara HUNG Lok Man’s work, Gentle Breath is in relation to a verse in the Bible where man received the Holy Spirit through Jesus. Her touching hybrid forms demonstrate a sensitive, poetic aesthetic.
Another series of work is all about the healing process. “Tread Softly is all about remembering to slow down and allowing other people to help ” states Sharyn Wortman. Her series of fragile porcelain forms precariously rise into the air, challenging the stable ground below.
Rachel Cheung the curator of this show states, “the first time I encountered these artists I felt their energetic, lively and passionate attitudes towards exploring ceramic art. This joint exhibition showcases their fresh ideas and outcomes that were based on their individual research around the same topic.”
