DELFTS BLAUW STORIES

DELFTS BLAUW STORIES

An exhibition of the month-long residency Write@EKWC at the invitation of Watershed

A close up angle of multiple tiles on a table, a black and rustic tile is in the most foreground
Three tiles on the corner of a table, two rust and black tiles with a blue tile peaking out
four glossy white tiles with different patterns of blue across them; the upper left corner is a fleshy arrow; the upper right, a descending brush stroke; the lower left a lattice pattern; the bottom right cut in half
Three tiles on the edge of a table; two blue tiles and a rust and black tile
An above shot of a table of tiles spread out in varying ways. Blue and white/rust and black tiles congregate without a sense of order
Even higher aerial shot of the tiles in the studio

The actual tiles were created using a press mold and a typical firing process.

My initial experiment was to create varied textured surfaces to affix photographs of my body, much like the featured photos in each header/footer of the exhibition.

This was to create a conversation with the mundane imagery delfts blauw tiles are known for - particular reliefs of farm life and domesticity - with a contemporary addition, the photograph.

Time got away from me in the last week - I had to act fast. I tested a variety of glaze patterns and underglaze coats on the tiles and put them in the fire on a Wednesday. As the tests emerged Friday, I retooled patterns, relgazed, and THANKFULLY, was given a kiln on the same day. So, they were cool and ready by Sunday night. The images show the tests and final tiles together. I’d realized there was no “test” or “final” tile, but merely variety. I love them all.

Bare chested black torso being pushed to the center of the frame