Emblems of the Soul
The butterfly has been a source of wonder and a metaphor for spiritual beliefs since ancient times. It has been a symbol of love, death, rebirth, and transformation in many cultures and religions. In Greek myth Psyche, the goddess of the soul, was depicted with butterfly wings. The butterfly also symbolizes
Biophilia – The Buzz
There’s a buzz about Ardmore at WMODA. Their artist Fiso Radebe demonstrated his painting skills at the November’s WMODA Wednesday. Now some unusual Ardmore pieces are featured in the exhibit Christopher Marley ǀ Biophilia. Marley’s dialogue with art, nature and science is presented in the style of a Cabinet of
Christmas Waits
Christmas Waits were bands of street musicians who formed during the holiday season to play carols around their community in hopes of raising money. The performances were variable and not always appreciated as can be seen in George Tinworth’s Waits Water mouse group at WMODA. From medieval times until the
Carnival in Venice
The largest porcelain work of art ever created by Lladró of Spain was unveiled at the Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts on January 17th. Carnival in Venice is a work of great complexity, almost five feet long and comprising 450 porcelain parts. 35 artists worked over a period of 5
Roger Cockram, In his element
Water is Roger Cockram’s element and ideas for his work in porcelain and stoneware spring from observations that he makes of the sea. He also harnesses the other elements of fire, air and earth to create his striking ceramic art. With his long grey beard, he looks a bit like
Trimming the Tree
Originally, Christmas Trees were decorated with edible delights, such as gingerbread, sweets, and apples, illuminated with candles. In the mid-19th century, a German glassmaker began to produce small hand-blown ornaments in the shape of fruits and nuts. These became popular in England after Queen Victoria’s German husband popularized the Christmas
Out of Africa into WMODA
There are many wise African sayings about unity and community. Ardmore Ceramic Art in South Africa works in the spirit of Ubuntu, meaning we are because of others. Another African proverb advises “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” The Ardmore
Biophilia ǀ A Cabinet of Curiosities
The Christopher Marley ǀ Biophilia exhibition which opens on December 5th at WMODA is presented like a Cabinet of Curiosities, a precursor of the modern museum. Also known as a Wunderkammer or Cabinet of Wonder, these were encyclopedic collections of natural and man-made objects reflecting our universal curiosity and fascination
Papillons in Porcelain
The buzz surrounding the beautiful butterfly art in the Christopher Marley ǀ Biophilia exhibition, which opens on December 5th has inspired us to look at the vogue for butterfly dancing in the early 20th century. While Christopher has preserved the fragile and floating beauty of actual butterflies in his art,
Ardmore’s Zany Zebras
The Ardmore artists make zebra riding look easy but in fact, they are usually too aggressive to train. They kick and bite and their backs are not really strong enough to support the weight of a man. Nevertheless, there were numerous attempts to tame them in the late 19th century.