Pair of Stargazer Figures - Looking for Life, Europa - Ceramic Sculptures Sculpture

The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer Spacecraft Mission (Juice) has just launched to scan Jupiter’s moons for signs of life.

Stargazers work really well as a pair. When there are more than one you get a sense of communication between them. The title for this pair might be: - “I wonder if some intelligence is looking back at us?”

Oscar Wilde quote: “We’re all lying in the gutter, but some of us are staring at the stars.” The idea of a stargazer / dreamer, or a watcher / protector. Someone who can see through the everyday and beyond the obvious. Someone who looks for what is real and dares to wonder. People have always watched the stars and considered their own place in the universe.

The sculptures are made with a direct honesty to the nature of the material. Clay is a wonderful material that can be pulled, squashed, shaped and squeezed. It takes an impression like no other material and, being a basic "earth" material, it is a joy to work with. Natural and manufactured objects are used to make impressions and produce strong textures. The work shows the way as it progresses into a finished piece. The hand becomes as important as the eye and the mind.

The nature of the clay and the design means there are lumps and bumps and various marks. This rugged affect is all part of the charm of the work.

I use white stoneware clay and make using slab, carving and coil building techniques. The work is then fired twice in an electric kiln the second firing between 1100 and 1200c. Decorated with oxides, engobes and glazes. 24ct gold-leaf on glasses.

Lovely to hold – they have a great “feel” about them.

Each piece is hand built and unique. Suitable for interior and exterior locations.

Signed underneath with signature stamp. Certificate of Authenticity included.

Any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.