Art research: Rosetta Vase

"In the contemporary setting one of the most insulting words you can use to describe an artwork is "Decorative" But its a very noble thing to be decorative. And the idea that art is not a pleasurable thing is wrong."

Grayson Perry

Title

Object: Object: The Rosetta Vase

"Description

Vase, earthenware, white body, coil built, of ovoid form with narrow neck, with underglaze incised and stamped decoration, and designs painted in blue on a bright yellow ground, with a transparent craquelé glaze. Beneath the designs run slip-trailed linear motifs in pink echoing the cracks on an antique pot. The designs incorporate imagery inspired by objects in the British Museum, including the Museum as a Tree of Life inscribed up the stem 'Story of the World', Cultural Diplomacy'; and Merchandising Opportunities' on a tree house at the top. Signed towards the base of the body with Grayson Perry's punning potter's mark, imitating a silver hallmark: a crowned letter 'W' above an anchor.

Production date

2011"  (TAKEN FROM TATE GALLERY WEBSITE)

I love how Perry creates decorative works with a strong message and strong sense of personal identity.

The colours are joyful, it's beautifully illustrated and a skillfully made vase.

The blue glaze illustrations are similar to the willow pattern design but he is telling his own story, it has a traditional feel because of the material and colour choice but is contemporary in theme.
 I'm interested in the decorative aspects within the Abbey especially Byron's teapot so I'm looking into artists that apply meaning within a decorative approach.

In my final outcome , I  have taken something ready made and applied a message via a decorative/ illustrative approach, Perry  hand crafts every aspect  this work, however its the idea of using a domestic object as a story telling tool that inspired me most and seemed fitting for an installation within a historic country house  where every object has a history and a story. The idea was to create something that both fits in and stands out.