BRIDIE HENDERSON

Bridie Henderson Fallen Feathers 10 November 5 December 2012

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

Milford Galleries Dunedin 18 Dowling Street (03) 477 7727 info@milfordhouse.co.nz

1

Bena Necklace (2012) porcelain, American white oak, LED lighting, cabinet: 840 x 665 x 130 mm

2

Fallen Feathers 1 (2012) porcelain, American white oak, LED lighting, cabinet: 450 x 850 x 120 mm

3

Kaya Necklace (2012) porcelain, American white oak, LED lighting, cabinet: 840 x 665 x 130 mm

4

Luta Necklace (2012) porcelain, American white oak, LED lighting, cabinet: 840 x 665 x 130 mm

5

Maka Necklace (2012) porcelain, American white oak, LED lighting, cabinet: 840 x 665 x 130 mm

6

Fallen Feathers 2 (2012) porcelain, American white oak, LED lighting, cabinet: 450 x 850 x 120 mm

7

Fallen Feathers 3 (2012) porcelain, American white oak, LED lighting, cabinet: 450 x 850 x 120 mm

8

Doba Necklace (2012) porcelain, American white oak, LED lighting, cabinet: 840 x 665 x 130 mm

9

Fox and Squirrel (2012) porcelain, fur, wood, feathers, vessel: 540 x 120 x 120 mm, arrows: ca 850 mm long each

10

Wolf and Bison (2012) porcelain, fur, wood, feathers, vessel: 530 x 117 x 122 mm , arrows: ca 850 mm long each

11

Lion and Antelope (2012) porcelain, fur, wood, feathers, vessel: 545 x 120 x 120 mm, arrows: ca 850 mm long each

12

Owl and Mice (2012) porcelain, fur, wood, feathers, vessel: 532 x 118 x 123 mm, arrows: ca 850 mm long each

13

Falcon and Rabbit (2012) porcelain, fur, wood, feathers, vessel: 510 x 120 x 122 mm, arrows: ca 850 mm long each

Since her success in last year’s Portage Ceramic Awards, where she became the youngest artist to receive the top prize, Bridie Henderson has continued to develop the narrative of her ‘Feather’ works. Henderson’s translucent, delicately carved porcelain works display meticulous attention to detail and an innate understanding of the foibles of her medium. When lit, the porcelain comes alive with a diffuse glow; the artist’s use of illumination is subtle and is in keeping with her fine carving and patterning.

Referencing the use of feathers in Native American cultures, Henderson also examines the mark-making used in these diverse and complex pottery traditions.

While alluding specifically to this (south-western) Native American patterning in the first instance, the symbols she uses are seen in ceramic practices throughout history and across cultures. Universal forms such as the spiral, zig-zag, arrow and circle are combined to create a symbolic language for her totemic objects.

Pairs of oversized porcelain feathers display black and white designs that spill through and over the feathery background; whorls, circles and triangles play with negative and positive space and morph in size and shape. Evocative of anthropological curiosities and fetish items, Henderson does not provide a back story to her pieces.

The feather necklets suggest the ghosts of the wearers and memories of ceremony but like curiosities in a Wunderkammer they are shown dislocated from their histories and narratives, and viewers are left to fill in the gaps with imagined stories. Mounted and framed, the origins of the works are concealed and the hand of the collector as well as that of the creator is evidenced.

Fletched with real feathers and featuring delicately carved porcelain arrowheads and wooden shafts, sets of arrows with matching quivers accompany the vitrineencased feather works. The quiver vessels are engraved with detailed images of both hunter and prey, extending the idea of totem items and linking back to Henderson’s research into the aboriginal cultures of North America.

EXHIBITION PRICELIST

1

Bena Necklace (2012)

7,500

2

Fallen Feathers 1 (2012)

4,500

3

Kaya Necklace (2012)

7,500

4

Luta Necklace (2012)

7,500

5

Maka Necklace (2012)

7,500

6

Fallen Feathers 2 (2012)

4,500

7

Fallen Feathers 3 (2012)

4,500

8

Doba Necklace (2012)

7,500

9

Fox and Squirrel (2012)

1,250

10

Wolf and Bison (2012)

1,250

11

Lion and Antelope (2012)

1,250

12

Owl and Mice (2012)

1,250

13

Falcon and Rabbit (2012)

1,250

All prices are NZD and include GST; Prices are current at the time of the exhibition

BRIDIE HENDERSON b. 1986, lives Nelson

A Necklace of Feathers 1, 2 & 3 (2012)

In 2011, aged 25 and still a ceramics student, Bridie Henderson became the youngest ever entrant to be awarded the supreme prize at the national Portage Ceramic Awards. Her winning entry, ‘Feathers’ was described by international judge Janet Mansfield as exceptional: "Many ceramic artists are inspired by the flora and fauna around them, but [Feathers] takes it one step further. It's a stunning work".

Henderson shows an innate understanding of the foibles of her chosen medium. Meticulous in their execution, her back-lit works exploit the qualities of translucence and fragility of the delicate porcelain; done by hand, surface carving and carefully applied colour further enhance this effect and give each feather its individual character. Henderson’s attention to detail extends to the hand-woven cords, purpose-built American oak display cases and individual keys adorned with their own ceramic feathers.

Suggestive of historical museum displays, Henderson’s feather necklets evoke images of gentlemen explorers collecting anthropological curiosities on their travels.

The rituals of

peering through glass and unlocking the cabinets for closer inspection reinforce the image of an 18th century Wunderkammer, a chamber of curiosities filled with items rare and precious, gathered from all corners of the world.

When lit, this sense of wonder is heightened as the glowing works take on an altogether different appearance, hinting at the hidden stories behind the trophy on display. Were they worn as fetish items, ritual adornments or signifiers of status?

Henderson presents the

necklaces and leaves it to the viewer to supply those who wore them.

Henderson continues to produce works in the ‘Feathers’ series and is also working on large vessels for her upcoming solo show in November 2012.

Bridie Henderson 2012 CV P a g e |1

Milford Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

BRIDIE HENDERSON b. 1986, lives Nelson

EDUCATION 2011

Level 7 Diploma in Ceramic Arts, Otago Polytechnic

SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2012

Fallen Feathers, Milford Galleries Dunedin

GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2012 2012

Royal Queenstown Easter Show, milford galleries queenstown Selected Works, Milford Galleries Dunedin

AWARDS & RESIDENCIES 2011

Supreme winner of Portage Ceramic Award (youngest ever recipient)

Rainforest Series #3 (2012)

Bridie Henderson 2012 CV P a g e |2

Milford Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz