An exceptional stone-white spherical vase with a purple ink drip running across the top of the opening. You may find that this piece is unusual in the sense of Cunningham-Cole’s typical style; this is a refined piece with a simple colour palette, in comparison to the usual vibrant and technicolour display. The glaze choices and application do closely resemble that of a series of stoneware table lamps Cunningham-Cole designed and/or made for Danish ceramic studio Kähler - beyond that, this vase is unique.
An above view takes you into staring into a giant’s eye; the opening - a dark pupil, the ink drip - an expressive iris and main body - an aged sclera. This piece is a show of discipline, every attribute is calculated and intentional, which really reflects Cunningham-Cole’s demeanour as an artist. Despite its large scale, this piece is fairly small when compared to his huge breadth of work over the decades. However, no matter how huge, each vessel is patiently thrown with the use of a manual kick wheel.
I highly recommend watching this fascinating short documentary produced and directed by John Robach later in Cunningham-Cole's career, one of the most genuine and insightful looks at the life of the artist behind the art. It is especially interesting to watch the clay being painstakingly worked, the kick wheel process, the deftness at which the glaze brush is applied, and the immense natural forces at play in his gigantic kiln.
"If I can make a piece sing to its beholder, I feel I have succeeded in expressing not only the aesthetics of art, but the aesthetics of life itself."
Carl Cunningham-Cole was born in Farnham, Surrey, and already began to receive professional recognition for his artistry as early as his teenage years. In the 1960s he relocated to Denmark after his exhibiting successes, working with firms such as Herman Kähler to produce designs for lamp bases and continuing to collaborate in later years. in the 1970s his first and only workshop in Algutsboda, Sweden, was established, and from here he braved the harshest winters and welcomed all the gifts of nature to produce an ever-evolving body of work until his passing in 2015. He fostered a profound connection with his surrounding environment which served not only as inspiration but also for natural resources in his quests for ultimate glaze alchemy. Before his move to Denmark, Carl had also spent three years travelling across India, the Middle East, China, Japan and Korea - these experiences heavily influenced his approach to producing forms as well as glazes that would become his signature. The number of Carl's achievements and exhibitions are simply too great to list; he leaves behind a legacy I hope to preserve and share for as long as I remain a collector.
Specifications:
Hand-signed and dated to the underside.
Height: 18cm / Diameter: 22cm
