These old world style ceramic works were created by Vanessa Lucas for the NGV 150th Anniversary product brief, with the National Gallery of Victoria Shop and Craft Victoria's New Craft project combining to create a range of products to celebrate the 150 Years of Melbourne's oldest arts instituiton.
In conceiving these sensuous Ewer (Jug) and Cup and Saucer sets, Vanessa Lucas drew inspiration from the facade of the NGV's Roy Grounds designed St.Kilda road building. Lucas has been a creator of bespoke garments for 20 years and recently returned to making vessels which strive to be of utility and fit for purpose.
The slipcasting technique used for these ceramic works enables the design of each piece to be assiduously refined until a fine balance of functionality and beauty is reached. The glazes used have a restrained sheen to allow the forms to softly emanate an intrinsic luminescence.
The Cup and Saucer sets are intentionally decorated with abandon as the glaze application is sloshed, dribbled and smudged in the way an abstract painter might apply paint. The fine curving rim of the cup invites drinking and it's classic shape references more traditional cup forms. The plain cup and decorative saucer are unified by the dark glaze.
The stone Ewer (Jug) is created using altered and reformed wheel-thrown pieces in conjunction with slipcasting to produce a vessel which is uniquely shaped and offers generosity of appearance and function. The large volume of water held in the base combined with the forward tilt, wide lip and secure handle ensure comfortable pouring. The animated silhouette and undulations of the rim are reminiscent of contours and forms found in the natural world.
In both of these peices the dense dark glaze lends the appearance of stone; thus sharing the same material qualities as the basalt facade of the National Gallery of Victoria.
All works are available at both of the NGV Shops at Federation Square and St.Kilda Road, visit NGV Shop for more information.
View Vanessa Lucas' Craft Maker profile including images of her work - Vanessa Lucas.
And to read the NGV 150th Anniversary brief click here.
