May Ayres "Ceramic Pictures"
May Ayres studied Illustration at the RCA during the early 1970s. For a number of years she has transposed her illustrators skills to ceramics. At the same time both the strength and fragilityof the fired material lends itself to the subject matter she has pursued - the human condition in extreme situations - not natural conditions but cruel situations - ones manufactured by tyrants and oppressors: war - torture. May acknowledges that some of the works in this exhibition are horrible - that is about horrible subjects. They are not intended to be "liked" - yet it is difficult not to 'like' these beautifully crafted works, their drawn and glazed surfaces struggle with the awkward anatomy of characters deformed by their corruption. She skillfully uses leaden weight of the clay to slump in submission then fired up to challenge the cruel domination of the oppressor. Ceramic sculptures: High fired stoneware, oxidation ceramics tell different stories about our world.
You can find out more information on her work in the publication "Ceramic Pictures" which was published as a companion to her recent exhibition which took place in London' east end, during September-October
Place: The Belfry,
St John on Bethnal Green,
200 Cambridge Heath Road
London E2 9PA
A 'taster' electronic version of her publication can be downloaded free from the link below.
http://www.rcasociety.net/files/rca/pdfs/may-ayres-ceramic-pictures-2011...
May Ayres "God's Wars" Ceramic Pictures (2005-2011)
Copyright • May Ayres © 2011 • London
First published in Great Britain 2011
ISBN 978-0-9533977-1-6
Foreword by Michael Perry
Published by AND Association
Distribution • Further copies “May Ayres - Ceramic Pictures” can be obtained from the publisher ‘AND’ Association, or May Ayres.
w: www.and.org.uk
e: and@and.org.uk
w: www.mayayres.com
Design and print production by
ArtZone Co-op Ltd
10 Back Church Lane
London E1 1LX
www.artzone.coop
Front cover image: ‘Amal’ • 'She will have to learn to live with the shrapnel in her head' • (h: 62cm) • 2011
Back cover image: ‘Zero Tolerance: In dedication to Joseph Scholes’ • (h: 162cm detail) • 2005
The book (24pp, A5) printed on 170gsm Silk Art Paper (Fsc Mixed Sources: Sgs-Coc-004676). It is natural, renewable and recyclable. Processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.
Publishers statement • All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval systems - without the prior permission in writing of May Ayres and the publisher.