Kirsti Matthews, Reclaimed Echoes
Porcelain paperclay
Inspiration & Concept
Reclaimed Echoes draws from a deep curiosity about the human form, merging contemporary exploration with reverence for ancient sculpture. The artist’s previous works serve as a foundation—each piece a study in anatomy and internal structure, emphasising the delicate balance between strength and vulnerability. By immersing oneself in anatomy drawings and anatomical studies, the artist seeks to uncover the universal language of the human body that transcends time.
Historical and Cultural Context
The sculpture references the grandeur of ancient sculptures—such as classical Greek and Roman marble masterpieces—whose timeless forms embody ideals of beauty, proportion, and human perfection. The decision to use porcelain paper clay echoes these classical roots but with a modern twist, transforming ancient ideals into a fragment of a moment in time—an artifact unearthed after millennia.
Aesthetic & Materiality
Intentionally aged to appear as if freshly excavated, the sculpture evokes the feeling of discovery. The artist’s own glazes are carefully developed to imbue the surface with mottled textures, subtle weathering, and patinas reminiscent of archaeological fnds. This treatment emphasises its status as a relic—something that has been buried and unearthed, carrying stories from an ancient past to the present moment.
Studying Anatomy & Drawing on Previous Works
The meticulous study of anatomy informs the form’s accuracy and expressive subtleties, while referencing earlier explorations helps to deepen the narrative—an ongoing dialogue between internal structure and external form. The simplified yet expressive torso invites viewers to reflect on human fragility, resilience, and the passage of time.
Porcelain paperclay
Inspiration & Concept
Reclaimed Echoes draws from a deep curiosity about the human form, merging contemporary exploration with reverence for ancient sculpture. The artist’s previous works serve as a foundation—each piece a study in anatomy and internal structure, emphasising the delicate balance between strength and vulnerability. By immersing oneself in anatomy drawings and anatomical studies, the artist seeks to uncover the universal language of the human body that transcends time.
Historical and Cultural Context
The sculpture references the grandeur of ancient sculptures—such as classical Greek and Roman marble masterpieces—whose timeless forms embody ideals of beauty, proportion, and human perfection. The decision to use porcelain paper clay echoes these classical roots but with a modern twist, transforming ancient ideals into a fragment of a moment in time—an artifact unearthed after millennia.
Aesthetic & Materiality
Intentionally aged to appear as if freshly excavated, the sculpture evokes the feeling of discovery. The artist’s own glazes are carefully developed to imbue the surface with mottled textures, subtle weathering, and patinas reminiscent of archaeological fnds. This treatment emphasises its status as a relic—something that has been buried and unearthed, carrying stories from an ancient past to the present moment.
Studying Anatomy & Drawing on Previous Works
The meticulous study of anatomy informs the form’s accuracy and expressive subtleties, while referencing earlier explorations helps to deepen the narrative—an ongoing dialogue between internal structure and external form. The simplified yet expressive torso invites viewers to reflect on human fragility, resilience, and the passage of time.
Porcelain paperclay
Inspiration & Concept
Reclaimed Echoes draws from a deep curiosity about the human form, merging contemporary exploration with reverence for ancient sculpture. The artist’s previous works serve as a foundation—each piece a study in anatomy and internal structure, emphasising the delicate balance between strength and vulnerability. By immersing oneself in anatomy drawings and anatomical studies, the artist seeks to uncover the universal language of the human body that transcends time.
Historical and Cultural Context
The sculpture references the grandeur of ancient sculptures—such as classical Greek and Roman marble masterpieces—whose timeless forms embody ideals of beauty, proportion, and human perfection. The decision to use porcelain paper clay echoes these classical roots but with a modern twist, transforming ancient ideals into a fragment of a moment in time—an artifact unearthed after millennia.
Aesthetic & Materiality
Intentionally aged to appear as if freshly excavated, the sculpture evokes the feeling of discovery. The artist’s own glazes are carefully developed to imbue the surface with mottled textures, subtle weathering, and patinas reminiscent of archaeological fnds. This treatment emphasises its status as a relic—something that has been buried and unearthed, carrying stories from an ancient past to the present moment.
Studying Anatomy & Drawing on Previous Works
The meticulous study of anatomy informs the form’s accuracy and expressive subtleties, while referencing earlier explorations helps to deepen the narrative—an ongoing dialogue between internal structure and external form. The simplified yet expressive torso invites viewers to reflect on human fragility, resilience, and the passage of time.