Alexandra Howie – Surfacing
Howie’s hand-built vessels are first conceived as coiled archetypal forms. Inspired by the sculpted drapery of the Classical and Hellenistic periods, the simple forms are overlaid with hand-sculpted clay, meticulously attended to with scalpel and burnisher to render the forms as if swathed in folded fabric and wet-drapery.
The resulting work is immediately romantic and feminine. More quietly, the veiled forms surface themes of vulnerability, concealment, and the abundance of rituals associated with shrouding and dressing. By drawing on this rich symbolism and cultural meaning, the work resonates with an enigmatic quality that speaks to ritual and reverence.
