Beneath the Skin: Aneta Regel
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UPPER GALLERY
THE SCHOOLHOUSE
London
Free Admission
CATALOGUEIn this new body of work, Regel explores how earth materials change, in particular how they ooze from beneath the skin through the outer layers of her ceramic pieces. Inner material conflicts become tangible and accessible through the vessel form, which defines an outer and interior space on which the viewer can gaze. Moreover, art historian Tanya Harrod writes, these pieces ‘make special demands because they draw their strength from cupped hands, from human contact, from human scale.’
"Dry, hushed days piled up like layers. Matter seemed to ooze from beneath, reflecting on growth and decay, a presence under the surface. Beneath the skin, feelings pressed forward, so strong they became almost physical. Hidden, yet everywhere." - Aneta Regel on Beneath the Skin
The works’ physical weight is a metric reached through the application of layer upon layer of material over time. In Regel's words, ‘mass and weight are as important as form’; here the form is handmade, coiled, and slab-built, and incorporates fragments from rocks, unprocessed clays, parts of previously discarded works, and pigments. They emerge from accumulation and editorial impulse, then are dried and fired multiple times. In such a process, porcelain might be contrasted with rough stone. Dissonant elements fuse during exposure to the kiln's temperatures.
Through Regel’s rigorous material knowledge, Beneath The Skin is testament to her spontaneous exploration of the potentials within ceramic and non-linear studio process. Taken together, the sculptures refer to each other, disclosing the artist’s innovative experimentations, intuitive understanding of form and enduring preoccupations with materiality and process.
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In her process, Regel explored how materials change and ooze from beneath the skin of the outer layers of her ceramic. Inner material conflict becomes tangible, accessible by the medium of the vessel which allows the viewer to look within its form. As Harrod asserted, vessels ‘make special demands because they draw their strength from cupped hands, from human contact, from human scale.’ In Regel's words, within this exhibition, ‘mass and weight are as important as form.’ The vessel’s physical weight is a metric reached through the application of layer upon layer of material. In such a process, porcelain might be contrasted with rough stone. Dissonant elements become fused together during exposure to the temperatures of the kiln.
Regel’s vessels are hand-made, coiled, and slab-built. Incorporated with fragments from alternate pieces, rocks, unprocessed ceramic, and pigment, her objects emerge from a process of accumulation and editorial impulse. Each vessel has also been dried and fired multiple times. Occurring through Regel’s rigorous material knowledge, Beneath The Skin is testament to her spontaneous exploration of the potentials within ceramic and non-linear studio process. Taken together, the vessels of Beneath The Skin refer to each other, disclosing Aneta Regel’s exquisite experimentations and enduring preoccupations. -
Works
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