Appreciation of artworks - by Russia ceramicist Yulia Salo in the 9th China Changchun International Ceramics Symposium.
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Proposal Ⅰ<The Eyes series>
Dimensions11×11×14cm

Concept: The series was conceived spontaneously as I wanted to add an element of surrealism into daily routine. The cups in the series are quite functional, they are suitable for drinking, and this is another meaning which I wanted to convey to the observer. I wanted to create something balanced in between functional, skillful and yet fine art ceramics with its impressiveness and inner message.
In contemporary fine art ceramics there is a tendency to strip the artwork of its utilitarian meaning, turn it into something abstract, as though the utilitarian value of the ‘object’ somehow diminishes the virtues of the work, making the artist a craftsman. In this respect, ‘the craftsman’ is understood as derogatory to ‘the artist’.I believe this means a moral robbing of both the artwork and the artist. I would like to accentuate the practical aspect of ceramics, send the message that crockery in its primary application and not deprived of this application, may be on par with popular abstract exhibits in terms of impressiveness.



Proposal Ⅱ<The Dune (plate)>

Dimensions35×35×3cm

Concept:  The concept was the possibility to work with material without distorting the original shape. That is – to work with what you have at hand, not changing from without, but transforming into the core: for me, personally, it is a profound satisfaction from carving work, when the surface relief becomes more complex not by substituting the shape – deforming the entire plane of the circle, but the simple dynamics of the shape of the plate is highlighted by the decorum, revealed through release of the superfluous material. The title – ‘The Dune’ – appeared as an association with sand dunes, accumulated by wind, hiding underneath the bones of the earth.
Burnished and carved, this plate has undergone two high firings, it was finished with white glaze after the first firing to further enrich the appearance. The plate was cast with porcelain slip in a plaster mold, then hand carver in deep relief. The original white color was accentuated by dry burnishing and left intact. The relief was rubbed with white glaze before the second firing. The artwork underwent two high temperature firings.



Proposal Ⅲ<Laurel (plate)>

Dimensions35×35×3cm

Concept: This replica of Alphonse Mucha’s ‘Laurel’ was created using the sgraffito technique in an attempt to recreate the richness of detail typical of art deco as a style and A.Mucha as one of its brightest representatives.
To me, this work is a meticulous translation into the language of ceramics of the common tradition, and homage to Slavic culture in general, and my favorite author, one of its representatives and admirers.