A piece that I am immensely happy to have acquired for the SAD Gallery collection, this vase by my hero of the art world, Carl Cunningham-Cole, is nothing short of special.
Showcasing multiple layers of autumnal brown and earthy green glaze, the spherical form is incredibly gentle and perfectly executed despite its fairly challenging scale. Where Cunningham-Cole's work is concerned however, this is somewhat tiny, the artist frequently producing monumental bowls, dishes and reliefs that could take well over a year to dry before glazing and firing. Nevertheless, this piece holds a presence that is hard to describe, with expertly applied decoration forming a unique dripping layer that cascades from the dark tenmoku-style glaze on the neck and shoulder. Three grooved bands around the opening provide that perfect sense of balance, the form appearing to levitate from the equally well-balanced and precise foot that only a true master of clay can consistently replicate.
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:
Indistinctly hand-signed and dated to the underside.
Diameter: 19.5cm / Height: 17.5cm
