Phoebe Cummings Included in 'Beyond the Vessel' at the Istanbul Biennale
A major site specific work by Phoebe Cummings is included in ‘Beyond the Vessel’ curated by Catherine Milner and Karoly Aliotti at Vehbi Koç Foundation, Mesher Gallery, Instanbul during the Instanbul Biennale.
The exhibition champions 13 of the best sculptors working in clay from around Europe – from London to the forests of Finland to the archipelagos of Denmark and the plains of northern Italy. The exhibition establishes clay sculpture as one of the most exciting new movements in contemporary art whilst drawing on its most ancient roots.
The themes of the exhibition include myths, legends, and fables in contemporary ceramics around Europe. It demonstrates how ancient myths have echoed down generations and now form an exciting new wave of contemporary art inspired by the human characteristics and archetypes they represent, focussing on how clay, often used simply to manufacture vessels and other utilitarian objects, holds the potential of being one of the most refined and yet powerful materials in the hands of artists with exceptional skill and vision, expressing human emotion in the greatest degree of subtlety.
As part of ‘Beyond the Vessel’, Cummings will take part as a representative of Ceramics Research Centre, University of Westminster in a symposium titled ‘Clay Across Cultures’. It is Mesher’s first symposium and seeks to create a shared dialogue around the culture of clay practice. Cummings will speak at the final session ‘the future of clay practice’, which debates current developments in clay practices in a post-colonial and global context; it identifies some ways to develop the expanding field of this versatile and universal material. Contemporary artists working with clay are exploring audience engagement, community projects, notions of the ephemeral and performance, which demonstrate the myriad ways that it continues to play a key role in society and culture.
‘Beyond the Vessel’ runs from 13 September – 22 December 2019. For further information click here
For further information on Phoebe Cummings click here