Something Better

One for a wish,
Two a letter
Three for a kiss,
and Four for something better
this is an East Anglian version of the magpie sighting rhyme - one I like better than one for sorrow etc...

It's exciting to develop the ability to increase the scale and energy in these abstracted Vingerling stoneware sculptures. Toni Torso is the most recent in my series of abstracted observational sculptures. My focus is to create movement and provide as much information as possible with the minimum of material. She is finished with porcelain. This piece has been purchased by Bijou Wedding Venues and now resides at Botleys Mansion in Chertsey.

Toni Turning Study

Toni Turning is a marquette for the larger Toni Torso. The inclusion of base and legs seems to ground the figure a little more. I am not convinced it has the same sense of freedom as Toni Torso.

The figure is made from Vingerling white stoneware and feathered with porcelain.

Petra Rocking

Petra Rocking was a happy structural discovery. She actually rocks gently and her curves are echoed by the implied chaise lounge. Made from bisqued Crank she is highlighted with porcelain.

Torn Toni

Torn Toni is a small abstraction in Scarva Ironware and gold leaf. The energy is placed on creating movement and a sense of the dynamics of a reclining figure.

Raven

Raven is a figment of my imagination. I am facinated by these intelligent and majestic birds and hope I have reflected this. He is made from Scarva Ironware and finished with a touch of gold.

Raven Girl

This polychomed sculpture was completed last year and recently finished with graphite and silver. The model was from Germany and had a wonderful presence which I hope is captured here

Herr Hare

This Scarva Ironware figure is a combination of observation and inspiration. While working from our model, I suddenly envisioned the achetypical Hare. Nothing for it, but to make him so.

Size 26cm x12cm

Photography P. Hardenburg

Satyr

This chap was a completely subconscious arrival - while doing an observational study he suddenly grew hooves and horns.  The Satyr may speak of secreted, forgotten exploits and reveling. 

24 x 18 x 13 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg 

Local Press Review

Torso

This Vingerling stoneware torso is the first large successful piece using the direct application method.  It is high fired and, as with most of my sculpture, can be displayed inside or in the garden.

43 x 12 x 17 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Olivia Torso

This torso has a solid monumental energy, this is especially effective as she is built hollow of Scarva stoneware and areas allow light to flow through the figure.

36 x 13 x 8 cm

Photography P. Hardenburg

Beginnings

This Vingerling stoneware torso is nearly life size.  She is particularly beautiful when the light shines through the open spaces.  I hope one day she'll be placed between a the viewer and a sunrise.

60 x 30 x 40 cm

Photography Ingrid Domeij

Good Deeds

'Good Deeds' is a small fellow who might echo Ron Mueck's work.  At 21cm he's a little kindness in Scarva black stoneware with gold wings.

21 x 9 x 10 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Work in Progress

This gives you some idea of how I work - the method is immediate and the most minimal armature is used.

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Waiting

This is the finished piece seen in 'work in progress'.  She is made in Vingerling, a Dutch stoneware, and currently resides in my garden.

The question is always how little is enough.

5 x21 x 28 cm

Photography Ingrid Domeij

Lucy

Lucy is a 40cm stoneware abstraction.  She's an interior or garden piece and focus is placed on the simplicity of weight and form.

40 x 15 x 14 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Dancing Venus

A result of feeling life was a little flat, I created this dancing figure as a symbol of all the joys available to us.

She subconsciously references fertility goddesses and my all time favorite, the Venus of Willendorf.

Photography Ingrid Domeij

My Sculpture Selected as Artists At Home Prize

Photography Joanna Brendon 

Andrea Crosslegged

A Vengerling stoneware slab construction this study was a quick impression of my favorite model.

10 x 8 x 6 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Collaborative Concepts Installation Summer 2007

2007 Beacon Installation of Epigraphic Graffiti -

for more information see: http://collaborativeconcepts.blogspot.com/

"Bouley" cast taken from Chartres Cathedral

Sogol's Shadow

This is a terracotta demonstration piece I did for a college open day.  It became a little more than a life study when I used the clay I'd removed from the hollowing process to make the figure's silhouette.

I enjoy juxtaposing the figures to create varying compositions, I particularly like the interplay of negative space.

12 x 8 x 8 cm ea.

Photography Ingrid Domeij

Fishwife

Fishwife is the result of a rather Bosh inspired vision I had while doing a life study - go figure?  Like Magritte, I've reversed the mermaid to create a new tension and reflection on the ancient marine myth.

53 x 20 x 25 cm

Photography Richard Wilson

Blue Shoe Girl

 Blue Shoe Girl was inspired by one of my students who always wears very feminine shoes.

In this instance the figure was taken from our life model, and the addition of the shoes a tribute to Mae and her exceptional footwear collection.

26 x10 x 10 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Hannah

This is Hannah, my wonderful senior model.  She is stoneware with slip and oxide surface finishes.

Hannah is in a private collection in London.

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Pushme Pullyou

Inspired by my star sign, Pisces, this porcelain relief is an image I draw repeatedly and have now crafted to a sculpture which incorporates light and form.

16 x 4 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Iron Torso

This torso gesture figure is finished in an oxide and graphite combination.  It was a 'happy accident' and I'm most pleased with the iron/rust surface.

23 x 3 x 10 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Hugh's Torso

This is one of the torso gesture series.  In this case, finished in stoneware fired crank with iron and a touch of chome oxide.

20 x 8 x 11 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg 

Alodie Torso

This female study is actually finished in a saggar - it's a rather wonderful kiln within the kiln which gives the surface an unpredictable, but full finish.

This torso is part of a London patron's rather extensive collection.

19 x 8 x 10 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Paris

This oxide enhanced figure was inspired by a souvenir I saw in Paris.  She balances on her bum. 

Balancing is a  design I first attempted with Ball Girl and Rocking Horse. 

Photography Ingrid Domeji

Ball Girl

Ball Girl is my first attempt at creating a sculpture which depended on accurately using weight to balance the piece. The sphere was a good deal more difficult to create than the figure.

She's finished in oxides and resides in a private collection in Leiden, The Netherlands,

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Rocking Horse

Rocking Horse is part of the balancing act series. He does stand without assistance.

Photography Richard Wilson

Dancing

These Dancing Lovelies are a celebration for a celebration's sake.  They are oxide finished stoneware

10 x 6 x 6 cm  ea. (approximately)

Photography Ingrid Domeji

Bird Watcher

This duo are an extension of two life studies I did in early 2005.  They actually worked better as a pair and are currently in a private collection in West London.

The clay body is crank which is finished in iron oxide.

30 x 28 x 20 cm

Photography Ingrid Domeij

Looking Back

This robust stoneware figure is another arrival from my subconscious.  She's in my garden and loves sun or snow...

43 x 18 x 16 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg & Richard Wilson

Mom's Drawing

This earthenware relief was taken from a life study my Mother did in Paris in 1939.  It is finished in oxides.

27 x 16 cm

Photography Pamela Hardenburg

Artist's Model

Els is a reference to Thomas Eakins and his drawing series on artists' models.  She is in a private collection in Rotterdam.

Photography Pamela Hardenburg