Ancestral Spirit for Art on Lock Exhibition

 

I was delighted to have been selected to take part in The Black British Visual Artists Art on Lock online group exhibition which runs from 1st-31st August 2020.

Although lockdown has been a very difficult time for a lot of people it has also been an opportunity for reflection. The rise in awareness of what those of us of African descent and people of colour have had to deal with our whole lives has brought back my own painful memories and this piece is the start of a body of work as a means to transmute the pain and grief into objects of beauty.

I have often explored my identity as a Black British woman through my art in the past and it wasn’t until I moved to Cornwall 10 years ago that I went in a new direction. The beauty and majesty of the Cornish landscape spoke so strongly to me that I wanted to explore this through a series of Raku fired pots.

Over the last few months I have felt called to re-visit more narrative and afrocentric themes and the Art on Lock exhibition was the perfect opportunity to bring a new piece of work into being.

Ancestral Spirit; Ceramic Raku Fired Mask by Catherine Lucktaylor.

Ancestral Spirit; Ceramic Raku Fired Mask by Catherine Lucktaylor.

This Ancestral Spirit mask is a wall hung sculpture that acts as a guardian spirit and a means to connect with my Ghanaian ancestry. She is a symbol feminine strength and power and female intuitive wisdom.

 
 

The Making of Ancestral Spirit

 
 
1. I start with forming a lump clay into the shape of a face.

1. I start with forming a lump clay into the shape of a face.

2. I refine the shape. I love to create wide nostrils to symbolise using the breath to connect with spirit and inspiration.

2. I refine the shape. I love to create wide nostrils to symbolise using the breath to connect with spirit and inspiration.

 
 
3. I add on the hair, creating spirals to frame the face.

3. I add on the hair, creating spirals to frame the face.

5. Cutting out starts from slabs of clay to add to the headdress.

5. Cutting out starts from slabs of clay to add to the headdress.

7. The mask is bisque fired in my electric kiln.

7. The mask is bisque fired in my electric kiln.

9. As it is a large piece I raku fire it in my front loading gas kiln.

9. As it is a large piece I raku fire it in my front loading gas kiln.

4. Smoothing and refining the shape. I begin the headdress with a crescent moon.

4. Smoothing and refining the shape. I begin the headdress with a crescent moon.

6. The finished piece is in the drying cupboard.

6. The finished piece is in the drying cupboard.

8. Once bisque fired I paint on the raku glazes.

8. Once bisque fired I paint on the raku glazes.

10. After being from the kiln whilst red hot and smoked in sawdust, this is how the mask looks before cleaning.

10. After being from the kiln whilst red hot and smoked in sawdust, this is how the mask looks before cleaning.

 
 
11. Close up

11. Close up

 
12. Ancestral Spirit finished piece. 27cm x 36cm

12. Ancestral Spirit finished piece.

27cm x 36cm

 
 
 

Click on the button below to see the full exhibition and to purchase Ancestral Spirit.

 
Catherine Lucktaylor