Shelves 1
Blue and white ceramics have been popular for six hundred years and probably a lot longer. The cobalt blue pigment was always hard to obtain and therefore expensive. In various Asian cultures, this blue came to be a symbol of mystic and powerful things like the sky and also infinity (since the sky has no edge.)
Blue and White 2
Blue and white ware was highly valued in many cultures, so it is not unusual for it to be a subject for still life painting. I have a modest collection of favourite pieces, none of which are from the Ming dynasty, but despite that, they are still well loved. I have attached a photo of some of the shelves in my studio. (They are a bit of a jumble, sorry about that!)
My Shelves
I have used some ceramic pieces over and over in my paintings, for instance the oval plate. It isn’t always shown with the same blue decoration, I sometimes like to make up my own, or use a pattern from a different plate. Curiously, there is a duck in all the attached paintings, but this is a coincidence. But then perhaps not – the Chinese popularised blue pottery and they are also very partial to duck, especially roasted!
Blue and White
Shelves 2
Teapots
Blue and White 3
My next art exhibition will be held at the Brisbane Institute of Art from 10th to the 23rd November 2022. Send me a note and I’ll remind you before my art show starts.
