II have always liked the curvy patterns which predominate in Islamic art, so was keen to go to see the exhibition at the British Museum. i was a bit disappointed but it was my own fault - I had failed to realise that the show was not really about the influence of Islamic art on British culture; rather that it focused on how the Islamic world inspired Victorian 'Orientalism' and its influence on painting styles. As a side issue it also briefly considered interior decoration. I did come away with a better understanding of the context of William de Morgan's tiles and ceramics. They displayed some original Islamic ceramics along side these de Morgan tiles. I like these and would love to be able to design them. However, along side the original tiles which probably inspired him, (still to be seen in Istanbul, Lisbon and other previously Islamic predominant areas), they seem a bit too controlled, too regular. Am I being hypercritical of William de Morgan's designs ? Here are two more of his For comparison here are some pictures I took in Istanbul in 2013. They are less 'finished ' but a lot freer - and of course a lot older (400 yrs?), being originals in the Topkapi Palace. These below are contemporary pieces - a plate from Ismir given to us as a present and potstands bought in the Istanbul Souk. Again, I prefer these to the William de Morgan example perhaps because of the asymmetry............. In the permanent exhibition galleries... there were lots of examples of early Athenian and Roman art. I particularly liked the carving on this small Italian image of Isis, an Egyptian goddess associated with fertility and motherhood. It was made in about AD 120-150 in marble. Now I am trying to carve clay I have a new appreciation of the skill and artistry required!
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AuthorI am indulging my passion for ceramics by undertaking studies for an MA at UCLAN Archives
August 2021
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