Celebrating Pansies

My latest works, currently on view at ArtSpace, until the end of the month. The ceramic platters with decals (shown here) forms part of an exhbition entitled Oppitafel (on the table). Below is a detail of one of the platters.

Government Inspected Meat

This figure is part of a series of Ceramic Sculptures reflecting / commenting on injustice, prejudice and victimization of individuals due to their sexual orientation. This particular work celebrates those gay men who have and do serve in the armed forces (war heroes). In particular it pays homage to the internationally acclaimed war poet Wilfred Owen – hence the tattooed forget-me-nots all over the body. A copy of his famous poem The Parable of the Old Man and The Young is inscribed on the base of the ceramic statement.
The title of the work “Government-inspected Meat” is gay slang for those men that have successfully qualified to serve in the armed forces despite their sexual orientation.
The work therefore calls into question the fact that such individuals qualify to serve their country only when their sexual orientation is closeted (especially in America – with their Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy.).

Muscle Mary darling of the judges.

This figure is part of a series of Ceramic Sculptures reflecting / commenting on injustice, prejudice and victimization (persecution) of individuals due to their sexual orientation.

Indicative of Saint Sebastian this tattooed martyr stands for a barbaric past that is at once acknowledged and disavowed. The work is entitled Muscle Mary - gay slang attributed to a gay sub group defined by its overdeveloped muscular physiques. As a group they can be camp and effeminate. The slip cast ceramic sculpture (ornamental) reflects on the churches involvement in the infamous homosexual purge in Holland in 1730.

The surface decoration includes a decal of a broad sheet (Placat) published at the time - a detailed proclamation on the imposition of capital punishment for the crime of sodomy.

Giant Pansy

Pansy, Trimardeau or Giant Pansy. Hardy. Entirely distinct and beautiful race, with flowers of the richest and most varied shades of colour. The plants are of a vigorous and compact growth, and the flowers are each marked with three large blotches or spots. They are of fine form and size hitherto unattained in this genus - the largest of the Pansy family. Pansies are a great specialty with some colonial nurserymen, and very fine varieties can be obtained at reasonable price.

One of my latest Ceramic Scuptures, Slip cast earthenware (1100) with under glaze painting, ceramic decals and gold lustre.

This figure is part of a series of Ceramic Sculptures reflecting / commenting on injustices, prejudice and victimization of individuals due to their sexual orientation.