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Tessy King‘s latest ceramics have seen her take up a self-directed challenge to push scale, and the possibilities of raw materials. The young maker’s wonderfully unusual ceramic vessels are about ‘finding balance in terms of strangeness’. As she describes: ‘They aren’t particularly good-looking pots, but I’m interested in how these strange objects fit into beautiful spaces.’
The pieces make a resounding statement for the joys of ‘messiness’, showcasing Tessy’s preference for loose, almost unfinished forms. Using white stoneware clays, terracotta or paperclay, Tessy either sprays or paints on a mixture of glazes in a combination of lustres, which requires triple firing. ‘I like the idea of grotesquely decorated, ornate, messy spaces, and I think this sometimes comes through in the work,’ she adds.
Finding ceramics by way of jewellery and silversmithing, Tessy completed her Honours exegesis, Bedroom 2 last year. ‘A lot of my research looked at philosophical ideas around space and how identity, objects and space are linked,’ she explains.
The young maker found that these studies really challenged her creative approach, and have lead her in a new direction. ‘I started thinking more about why I make things and questioning whether my contribution to the world in the form of things is actually valuable,’ Tessy reflects. Practically speaking, moving outside the RMIT studio, where she had access to wonderful equipment and materials, has also proven a little tricky. Though, this hard transition has ushered in a period of intense growth.
Previously Tessy created more sculptural and slab built forms (as featured in our earlier post). This collection, however, employs a combination of coiling and ‘just squishing (technical term!)’ clay together. ‘These pots are very specific to last year, and now this year; I’m not sure what will happen later,’ she tells. ‘I’m way less precious now!’ – We’re eager to see what comes next!
Tessy King is currently exhibiting Sun Room at Craft Victoria in Melbourne. Her pieces are also available at Guild of Objects and Mr Kitly.
