2023 Flora — Claudia Lau

FLORA reflects the historical obsession displaying wealth and status through the tulip. Through this exhibition, Lau showcases an interest in the canon of the historical vase through contrasting material directions. The two pieces in the exhibition, taking visual and cultural cues from the ‘East’ and the ‘West’, are totem vessels inspired by arrangements dedicated to the presentation of cut flowers. FLORA interrogates decoration and use and to a degree the line between arts and craft. Does taking the function away from an object question its existence? Or does it call to invite ‘thingly’ potential?.

BLOOMING TOWER
2023

Dimensions
120 H x 21 W x 21 D cm

Materials
Terracotta, Stoneware, Porcelain Slip, Ararat Fire Clay glaze

An occasional tiered singular structure that mirrors both chandelier and chimney structures, quietly referencing the play between interior and nature as domestic conduits of design. The structure nods to an industrial utilitarian application, pipes and plumbing taking or containing. Dark terracotta and stoneware form the material body, with layers of southern ice porcelain slip and glaze so thick it appears to break the surface.

RISING SPRING
2023

Dimensions
100 H x 33 W x 33 D cm

Materials
Stoneware, Oyster Shell glaze, Feldspar Chips

Rising Spring takes on a variety of classical motifs such as fluting of columns, flowerets, scallop shells, and ornate decorations. Order and perfection is trifled by creating spaces for organisation of singular-stem florals. Its shapely silhouette speaks of the body, incumbent with tiers of adornment. These deliberate, precise, and precious applications of decoration form a restrained elegance with a single white glaze, questioning and bending excess and modernism.