Sometime in the late 1970s, I began investigating ‘the arch‘ as a Jungian archetype. Arches, caves, doorways, etc., besides having beautiful, natural forms, can symbolize change, or passage from one place or time to another.
I experimented with various forms of arches in the pieces shown below, beginning with the ‘arched wall’ and the the cliff-like pieces.
Then while attending a workshop in the summer of 1981 at the Banff School of Fine Arts (now The Banff Centre), I got the idea to anthropomorphize arch forms in small ‘environments’. The limited series I called ‘Fallen Arches’ was the result. It led to an expansion of the idea into the exhibition ‘Archeological Architecture’, presented next.
arched wall front, 1980, stoneware, 72 cm w, iron oxide wash, unglazed, ∆5. (❋)
arched wall, back, 1980, formed from large, solid coils of clay, into which caves were dug on opposite sides. (❋)
cliffs (with caves) 1981, stoneware, 29 cm h, unglazed, soda spray, ∆5 (❋)
cliffs (with caves) reverse, 1981. Soda spray (dissolved salt) will often leave a nice ‘burned’ look. (❋)
fallen arches I (progression), 1981, white low temp clay, 28 cm d, ∆04. (❋)
fallen arches I (progression), 1981. I peopled these small ‘environments’ with small handmade arches. (❋)
fallen arches I (progression), 1981. The little queue seems to be faltering at the front. (❋)
fallen arches II (the effect of shadows), 1981, white, low temp clay, unglazed, 35 cm d, ∆04. (❋)
fallen arches II (the effect of shadows) 1981. The best images of these pieces were taken in full sunlight. (❋)
fallen arches II (the effect of shadows) 1981. What’s happening? (❋)
fallen arches III (archangel) 1981, tan low temp clay, unglazed, 38 cm d, ∆04.
fallen arches IV (contest) 1981, white low temp clay, unglazed, 36 cm d, ∆04.
