ALONE WITH DEATH

Master of Arts Diploma Work, University of Art and Design Helsinki, 2004

Kuoleman kanssa kahden

Taiteen maisterin lopputyö, Galleria Atski, Taideteollinen korkeakoulu, Helsinki, 2004

The Master of Arts Diploma Work was a study in realizing the process of grief by artistic means. Preparing the clay body and modelling figures by hand formed the framework of my studio practice. I prepared my own version of Parian porcelain, a clay body which was originally used in the porcelain figure industry in 19th century Great Britain. Parian porcelain (Parian ware) was mostly used unglazed in sculptures as it had a marble-like finish. Parian ware got its name from the Parian marble quarried during the classical era on the Greek island of Paros.

"In the beginning the birds were doves, although I spoke of them simply as birds. I wanted to see them miserable, without wings, unable to fly, in front of me. The dove's beautiful head grew into a big, silenced beak. The closed room of ungrieved loss holds only the awareness of being unable to fly, unable to speak."