Out of China: Monumental Porcelain

Abstract

Working collaboratively with teams of local craftsmen in a Chinese manufactory in Jingdezhen, Aylieff has explored how technologies can be adapted to produce appropriate, original and unique contemporary sculptural expressions. Her research has resulted in artworks using an extreme scale not typically associated with porcelain. During a series of residencies in Jingdezhen, Aylieff investigated local traditional ‘blue and white’ ceramic techniques, including glaze application, decorative brushwork and firing methods.
 This body of research was primarily presented through four exhibitions, two with associated texts. ‘Out of China: Monumental Porcelain’ was an Arts Council-funded solo exhibition of work by Aylieff. During 2008–9, the exhibition toured to three venues: Barn Gallery, West Dean; Gallery Oldham, Manchester; and Lightbox Gallery, Woking. An associated book was published with text by Aylieff and an essay by Professor Emmanuel Cooper. ‘Contemporary Craft Comes to No.10’ was a joint exhibition of work shown at No.10 Downing Street in 2011. Aylieff was one of eight leading makers whose work was selected to be shown. Porcelain City Jingdezhen, a joint exhibition by Felicity Aylieff, Roger Law, Ah Xian, and Takeshi Yasuda was shown at the V&A Museum (2011-12). The exhibition focused on the rich language and history of Chinese porcelain and present-day life in Jingdezhen through contemporary ceramic production. The publication Porcelain City Jingdezhen, which accompanied the exhibition, included an essay by Aylieff: ‘Scooters, Buddhas and water lilies’. ‘China’s White Gold’, an exhibition held at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (2012-13), featured eight of Aylieff’s pieces, including four monumental works.
 Pieces from the exhibitions were acquired by public institutions and for major international collections including the V&A; Shipley Art Gallery; York Museum, and Chatsworth House. During her residency at Jingdezhen, Aylieff was interviewed for the BBC4 television documentary Treasures of Chinese Porcelain (2011).