Porcelain vases that celebrate the art of crafting by hand.
Swiss porcelain artist Sylvie Godel loves to travel the world and to reference aspects of different cultures in her work. For the Piles series, she drew inspiration from the time spent in the city of Jingdezhen, China. Renowned across the world for its porcelain industry which dates back to more than 2000 years, the city became one of the main inspirations for the Piles collection of vases. The artist used her experiences of walking through the city’s markets and workshops to find the series’ distinct look. Specifically, from the piles of bowls and plates found everywhere across the city. More than just an homage to Jingdezhen and its vibrant porcelain products, the artworks also celebrate the archetypal bowl and the primordial art of handcrafting objects.
To create the Piles vases, Sylvie Godel stacked bowls on top of each other and created plaster molds to slip cast. Finally, the exaggerated silhouettes became graceful bone china vases. The collection honors tradition and artisanal skill, concepts that become increasingly more valuable as they fade in modern times. The Piles vases also highlight the link between the beauty of the natural material and the creator’s input. Heritage and contemporary art brought together in a series that hides a deeper meaning under its delicate appearance. Photographs© Christiane Nill.
