PORTLAND, Oregon––Janice Jakielski employs a process of assemblage in her multi-planar ceramic vessels which one false move could crumble for her latest eponymous exhibition at Eutectic (April 6 – 29, 2018).
Featured image: Sometsuke Book Vase, 2018, Porcelain, paper, thread, 4.5 x 5.75 inches
Janice Jakielski, Sèvres Vase Segmented in Series, 2018, Porcelain, poplar stand, 5.75 x 5 (with stand) x 8.5 inches
Detail.
Janice Jakielski, Embroidered Sèvres Vase, 2018, Porcelain, embroidery thread, poplar stand, 7 x 3 (including stand) x 10 inches.
Detail.
Drawing inspiration from historic ceramic sources, Jakielski deconstructs the objects into almost paper-thin, two-dimensional cross sections to achieve an effect that from en face is spatially believable. Begging for further inspection, a step to the right or left of these seductive objects shatters this perception giving way to their deceptively delicate construction.
The gallery writes that Jakielski’s works challenge the notion of what is clay and how it can be used.
Taking cues from industry she adapts and invents new ways of working with this most ancient material. From tape casting to foaming to gelling, her time in the laboratory is truly experimental, and each new discovery brings a wave of possibilities and excitement.
Janice Jakielski, Embroidered Sèvres Tureen (detail), 2018, Porcelain, embroidery thread, poplar stand, 8 x 3.5 (with stand) x 8.5 inches
Alternate view
Other objects in the show appear like exquisite, rolled paper filagree or quilled sculptures with thin ribbons of porcelain formed into flora and fauna imagery and fill the prescribed “vessel” space.
Janice Jakielski, Quilled Meissen Vase, Indianische Blumen, 2018, Porcelain, poplar stand, 5 x 3.5 x 9.25 inches
Detail
Jakielski writes in her artist statement that she seeks to create comfort objects, which provide respite in an overwhelming world:
I create objects of comfort; escapist objects to provide focus or retreat in an overwhelming world. Through the use of meticulous detail and ambiguous function I coax my audience to investigate closer, closing the physical gap between viewer and object. In this way I want the details of my workmanship to act as a whisper, flirtatiously seductive in its discretion.
Janice Jakielski, Sometsuke Book Vase, 2018, Porcelain, paper, thread, 4.5 x 5.75
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