Victoria Eden

The forms take on a more domestic scale and refer to my previous work as a maker of functional pottery.

Vessel House 1 (left): Heart of Gold

Vessel House 2 (centre): Heart of Darkness

Vessel House 3 (right): Unknown Interior

Each piece provides a home or at least a shelter for Everywoman/Everyman. Here their inner self is formed, it can be glimpsed through the doorway but much remains hidden.

The shadows from the interior have a long reach into the world.

Black clay fired to 1200c, porcelain figures finished with gold leaf, brass wire & nail.

All pieces maximum H:23  Dia:13cm (approx)

Everywoman/Everyman can move freely out of their vessel but the shadow it casts must come with them.

Vessel House 1 has a rich gold leaf interior. Vessel Houses 2 & 3 have a soft inky black light-absorbing internal surface.

Black clay fired to 1200c, porcelain figures finished with gold leaf, brass wire & nail.

All pieces maximum H:23  Dia:13cm (approx) 

The figures show the outward facade of Everywoman/Everyman. They are delicately poised on their shadows showing their outer brilliance, at this moment their environmental, cultural and genetic inheritance are not on show.

Black clay fired to 1200c, porcelain figures finished with gold leaf. 

All pieces maximum   H:10 L: 16cm  (approx)

The inside of the house is inky black, Everywoman is glimpsed as she journeys through. 

Black clay fired to 1200c, moveable porcelain figure finished with 24carat gold leaf.

Everywoman shelters in the vessel house as the journey of life continues.

Black clay fired to 1200c, moveable porcelain figure finished with 24carat gold leaf.

Everywoman is at the end of a long tunnel, the dark interior challenges our comprehension.

Black clay fired to 1200c, moveable porcelain figure finished with 24carat gold leaf.

The tunnel enfolds an uncompromising interior.

Black clay fired to 1200c, moveable porcelain figure finished with 24carat gold leaf.

Everywoman emerges into the light.

Black clay fired to 1200c, moveable porcelain figure finished with 24carat gold leaf.

Within a black ceramic box the Everywoman/Everyman figure is supported by a fragment of Cycladic pottery over 2000 years old.

This piece is the first of a new series using found objects framed within the parameters of a container.

Black ceramic box fired to 1200c, pottery fragment, porcelain figure with gold leaf.

H:12 W:19 D:12cm

The house can be read as a metaphor for family or place. It is the construct within which a life is lived and has the power to support or suffocate.

Black clay fired to 1200c, porcelain figure with gold leaf.

H:38.5 W:19.5 D:6.5cm

As the figure, Everywoman/Everyman, moves through life they are created and formed not only by their genetic inheritance but also by their natural and cultural environment. Some influences will constrain them and some will free them.

The possibilities of what a person may become are endless.

How they seem to others may be very different from how they experience themself.

Black clay fired to 1200c, porcelain figure with gold leaf.

H:38.5 W:19.5 D:6.5cm

Right hand of image

The house has cracked and broken under the intensity of the fire but it has been rebuilt and, to some extent at least, it has regained its earlier form. It can provide a context and shelter for Everywoman/Everyman.

Smoke fired porcelain clay,  porcelain figure with gold leaf.

H:27.5  W:23  D:5cm

Front elevation

The fire has ravaged the house leaving indelible smoke stains.

Everywoman/Everyman continues to move through the structure. 

In this way life's journey goes on.

Smoke fired porcelain clay, porcelain figure with gold leaf.

H:27.5  W:23  D:5cm

Rear Elevation

The fissures are deep and clear but the structure holds and encloses the space within.

Smoke fired porcelain, porcelain figure with gold leaf.

H:27.5  W:23  D:5cm