From Limoges With Love

Images my own

Good evening everybody!


I have returned from my trip to Limoges and have some comments to make on a few things I found whilst out there. 
On the days we weren't working/sunbathing, I managed to visit a couple of flea markets and the gift shop of a porcelain factory! This meant for some interesting discoveries and my passion for 'ugly' stuff flared up again!
My first discovery was that the district of Limoges is renowned for its fine Porcelain and has a very large museum full of examples - although I didn't manage to visit it, I did find many ugly substitutes to the high quality, hand-painted pieces I would hope to find if I do go and visit it.


My previous interest in methods of display managed to reignite itself at a pottery fair I visited in a nearby town called Rochechouart. The ways the stall holders displayed their wares sparked many questions about the line between a functional object and one whose sole purpose is to sit and look pretty. The use of plinths and pigeon holes made me change my view of the products, are they more sculptural forms? It seemed clear the makers had both function and aesthetic admiration in mind.


What are your views? 

 I was also reading 'The Picture Of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde, which has gone hand in hand with the book I wrote about in my previous post about the infamous author and playwright's influence on interior design in the 19th Century.


I've managed to gather loads of pockets of inspiration that I simply cannot wait to dip in and out of. I would like to create some made pieces in response to the displays I saw at the pottery fair, perhaps bringing elements of Limoges' history of producing hand-painted porcelain. 


Basically I cannot wait to get back into the studio.


x

Some enlightening reading and wonderful news!

Good afternoon all! 

I do hope you've all been making the most of the *shock horror* summery weather!!

I've certainly made the most of the sunshine and sat outside in the garden getting on with some reading. The image above is the latest book I've been sinking my teeth into, it's an incredibly interesting read about the rise of artistic interior design in the late 19th Century, led by the infamous 'Aesthete' Oscar Wilde.

I'm really enjoying reading about the influences and developments in the arts around this time period. It's great to learn about the rise and reign of the Royal Academy and it's alternative, more quirky rival exhibitor at Grovesnor Gallery. I'm also learning a lot about the evolution of the purpose a painting holds within the home and the gallery, and how the reproduction of masterpieces as prints meant owning a product of fine art was opened up to the masses and no longer remained exclusive to collectors and royalty.

It's all rather coincidental I've taken an interest in the history of the gallery space as I received some wonderful news today! I was informed by the National Gallery that I was successful in my application to work for them as a gallery assistant! 

I'm over the moon and I can't wait to get started there, I think it will be a brilliant opportunity for me to gain some experience as well as insight to the workings of a gallery, and hopefully work my way up the career ladder! 

It's only for a few hours on Friday evenings but with the up and coming Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition I might get a few hours extra work!

It's a fantastic piece of news and puts me in a more relaxed mood before I jet off to Limoges on Sunday for 10 days hard renovation work on my boyfriend's family's property out there! 

I'll be sure to post a lengthy update when I return :)

x