Vinculum - Alexandra Harley
Title: Vinculum
Artist: Alexandra Harley
Dimensions: 20 x 28.5 x 16.5 cm
Material: Ceramic, thread, wood paint
Vinculum is a ceramic sculpture bound together with thread; a collection of complex clay forms, warped, folded, squeezed and tied. They nestle together, pulled tight in against each other by thin thread. The fluid movement of the clay is restrained and made still by wrapping and cocooning that particular moment. The thread is taut against the organic and more fluid clay, encasing the individual elements and compressing the space between them as it pulls the pieces together. Each unique piece of clay is brought alongside its neighbours, jostling for position and both cradled against each other, held in place by the binding but still wanting to break free from the constraints. The bindings play a dual role indicating a direction and development of movement as well as containing the movement within.
Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize Sculpture Winner 2021