POTTER Newsletter
GUILD
of BRITISH October 1999
COLUMBIA —
a SUZY BIRSTEIN
1454 Cartwright Sircet :
Granville Island DUETS
Vancouver fC Voll sh? there's not another husan in view

Pak: (dy) vty) ba Gut hy Ope

October 2 - Novernber 3

fel: (604) 669-5645

Gallery of BC Ceramics

The figures in this show have all been masée since [ returned from New York City last spring.
While there [ spent afew days walking the streets and visiling private galleries, the Museum
of Modern Ant (MONA) and the Metropolitan. Outside the MOMLA [ bought from a strect
vendor a wonderful African mask portraying the guardian of the female spirit. Rising fram
her triangular shaped bead is a strong and voluptuous female torso, holding the homs of an
antelope in the spirit and form of victory. This mask has been my muse. Inspired by it, the
music of Johnny Mercer, Eartha Kitt and Ibrahim Ferrae, the sculpted Duets have emerged.

Moy technique is simple. | use low fire clay, which [ fire to come 03 and paint with acrylics.
[ build around a simple newspaper form, The placement of the head upon the meck_ the uli
af the head, how it moves with the addition of clay and the scale all determine the spint ol
Lhe pecs

Mostly [ love plaving with the . tis endlessly fascinating to observe how the spirit
changes and evolves with the addition of cul slabs and twisted coils creating elaborate
headdresses and home, exotic eves and lips. The second head on the reverse side establishes
a whole new relationship within each piece, They become ducts, romantic, dreamy, wistful,

and sad.