Steven Edwards

Gourmet pleasures

1^er July - September 7, 2023

Steven Edwards. Striped Fold IV, 2023, parian porcelain, h.36 x 25 x 25 cm. Analogous Convex Fold II, 2023, parian porcelain, h. 34 x 30 x 30 cm

In keeping with its commitment to presenting original ceramic works never before seen in France, the Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste in Toucy is organizing the first solo exhibition in France this summer of work by British artist Steven Edwards. Through twenty works specially created for the event, the ceramic artist transports us into his world of experimentation, where forms embody his passion for manipulating clay. As a narrative support for the elaboration process, clay is used to explore its materiality, physical presence and seductiveness.

Exhibition catalogue
Steven Edwards in the Revue de la céramique et du verre

Steven Edwards' creative process begins by deliberately placing the material under pressure to reveal the natural tension and movement in its surface and form. The artist uses mostly Parian porcelain and occasionally stoneware. He pushes, pulls, compresses and slices the material to provoke a reaction. The final forms are a combination of these steps, the translation of a duality in their appearance - the contrast of visual distortion and precision, of calm and movement in form, and the illusion of a surface between synthetic and natural. Color plays a fundamental role. Pieces can be very sober, in monochrome white or black. Others offer subtle gradations of soft green, blue or pale pink. Even more complex are the multicolored sculptures, whose perfectly parallel lines create new rainbows. Striated, incised and ribbed, these sculptures are inevitably reminiscent of sweets. The tetrahedral shapes that make up some of the pieces are reminiscent of berlingots, while others evoke the texture of marshmallows or marshmallows with a sweet aroma.