When viewing Kathy Butterly’s exhibition High Vibration at 48 Walker Street, I felt as if I
had entered a small garden of flowers. The bottom handmade ceramic cubes resemble stems, while the irregular porcelain forms above unfold like different blossoms. Each “flower” seems to generate its own miniature world, inviting viewers to move slowly through the space and observe the differences between each sculpture.
The colors and textures of the glazes of these sculptures vary greatly from piece to piece, ranging from the ultimate monochrome to richly detailed and complex treatments. Some surfaces appear smooth and quiet, while others feel more energetic and layered.
Rather than casting molds from found objects, Butterly creates her own forms. She pours liquid porcelain into plaster molds and reshapes the surfaces by hand, drawing lines on the three-dimensional. This process allows the forms to feel both controlled and spontaneous. The final looks appear through glazing and multiple firings in the kiln, where the colors and textures gain their final intensity.
The placement of rounded vessels on top of cubic bases creates a visual tension between organic form and geometric structure. However, when this same tension is repeated across many sculptures within the gallery space, the effect is diminished. The sculptures begin to produce regularities. The lower cubes start to read as pedestals, supporting sculptures, rather than active elements of the compositions.
Because the cubic forms at the bottom are relatively small compared to the irregular shapes on top, and the display height is quite low, viewers must bend down to observe the works, making the cubic bases easy to overlook.
I think you make a great point about the cubic pieces fading into the background and looking more like pedestals for the organic shapes! I also love how your review delves into the process of making these pieces. I would probably cut the line “The final shapes appear through glazing and multiple firings in the kiln, where the colors and textures gain their final intensity over time,” because this feels less specific to the exhibit and more an explanation of ceramic glazing in general. Also, “the final shapes appear through glazing” could be reworded to “the final appearance is achieved through glazing…”
ReplyDeleteYour writing is so elegant and flows smoothly! The opening comparison of the sculptures to a small garden of flowers is especially beautiful and immediately creates a clear image of the exhibition space. One place that could be strengthened is the final paragraph. When you mention that the tension between organic and geometric forms becomes diminished, you might briefly explain how this affects the viewer’s experience. Overall, this is a thoughtful and beautifully written review.
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