Leopold Foulem
The Colonel as Terracotta Sculpture, 2003, Ceramic, 34.7 x 13.5cm.
Artist – Leoplold Foulem, Montreal.
I came across above piece in the magazine ‘Ceramics – Art and Perception’, Issue 76, 2009, whilst I was working on the ‘Kentucky Gold Series for the ‘By Example’ exhibition (see previous post). I had never seen this ceramicists work before and was truely stunned at the irony when I browsed past it in bed one night. I don’t find it surprising that the Colonel Sanders money box has been cast and used in an artwork as I consider it a treasure that deserves exploration. However I am surprised that I came across it. I have never browsed through ‘Ceramics – Art and Perception’ in my life before, the magazine came to me through an unusual avenue. I am not superstitious but am intrigued by connections between artists ideas despite how far apart they are. Maybe there are only so many ideas out there? Think of the amount of skulls that have been produced in the past 5 or so years. (more on that later, skulls have been plaguing me!)
Leopold Foulem
Blue Boy and the Colonel Tê Hua Spill Vase, 2004, Ceramic, 14 x 8.25 x 5.5 in.
Artist – Leopold Foulem, Montreal.
He states, “………I believe that genuine art is about concepts and indisputably neither about medium nor style, nor even about making. My ceramics are about ideas. My artistic output is never about self-expression or the pursuit of beauty. I consider myself some kind of composer and theoretician instead of a virtuoso.” Leopold Foulem (more images).
This got me thinking about my own practice. When making jewellery ‘beauty’ is not my major objective. I often give it no consideration at all or consciously push it aside, that is not to say that some work does not end up being beautiful. However when I am using precious metals (particularly gold) it is important for me that the work conceptually explores the use of this medium. Thus for me medium is often very relevant in my art making/jewellery practice.
