Ian Davenport Plate 2
(c) Meissen
The South London Gallery’s wide-ranging education work in support of children and young people within the local area is supported by the SLG Council. The Council is a group of art philanthropists and each year the members receive a limited-edition plate (edition of 26 unique plates) which is specially created at the world-famous Meissen factory. The plates’ decoration this year has been done by the 1991 Turner Prize nominee Ian Davenport and reflects his bold abstract use of colour and unconventional painting process.
He said of the project: “Earlier this year I spent a week in Meissen factory doing a research trip and making some prototypes for the project at South London Gallery. It was an incredible experience, learning about porcelain manufacture and the history of its development over the last 300 years. The factory is a treasure trove of different techniques, approaches and objects of this wonderful material. In collaboration with the art studio at the factory I began trying to find a way of making the glazes and colour work, pouring the liquid colours. It took a while and some raised eyebrows, but eventually we began to see the results. Making something of this kind, under time pressure and unsure of the process takes an act of faith from all parties but the positive outlook with which Meissen embraced this project, made it very enjoyable.”
Ian Davenport
(c) Meissen
Meissen are also proud of this connection and sum it up saying: “The value of supporting emerging talent and allowing their creativity to express itself, has been a subject at the core of Meissen since the start of the company, some 300 years ago. We are very proud to be supporting the South London Gallery’s education programmes, we feel this is an important initiative which will benefit the artists of tomorrow.”
Tim Forrest's E & A 