Simon Reece | Cosmik Debris | Betsuno
Betsuno
porcelain, underglaze, polymer clay, epoxy resin, glaze, gold and platinum lustre, and fluorescent acrylic
height: 20 cm
Diameter 19 cm
$900
Flotsam and Jetsam is about rubbish, debris, detritus and how it impacts on us but also reflects us and reveals who we are. In the universe cosmik debris is scattered throughout. This space waste becomes the building blocks for the universe itself. Something bigger is formed from this rubbish. Equally our climate malaise is brought about by waste, which is also creating something bigger.
John Scanlan in On Garbage says that humans are becoming the garbage of our time, creating physical and intellectual debris. We are all the garbage of our time. We are all cosmik debris creating something much bigger than ourselves but we myopically fail to see it, to look at it, to engage with it.
In response to this myopia, small pieces of natural sponge, flotsam, collected from beaches have metamorphosed into phantasmagorical beings, representing what we might perceive to be alien cosmik debris. This transformation of ecological waste becomes a visual narrative that changes the way we see the rubbish inhabiting every corner of our universe. The shiny, pretty things draw our eyes to the flotsam and jetsam cast out of our personal space.
This body of work includes ceramic and mixed media sculptural objects. The large jellyfish bloom on the wall is indicative of the collapse of oceanic ecosystems as a result of rubbish in the food chain. Our climate inaction is creating something bigger, in this case large blooms of jellyfish are appearing in our oceans, highlighting the detrimental warming of the oceans and the effect on ecosystems.
Beautiful as they are in nature, jellyfish take over an environment where other creatures are unable to exist. Humans are not managing the waste of their living, this waste has become the glittering flotsam of their lifestyles – which has become an intrinsic part of interaction with our planet. Universal flotsam and our jettisoned waste is our responsibility but what is being created from our waste is something that is both terrifying and compellingly beautiful in its existence
The ceramic pieces are made by manipulating the surface, pushing out and infiltrating, almost invading the space. Luscious gold and platinum glazes morph forms and textures to engage the audience along with colour, form and texture which evoke beauty, fecundity and tactility; creating a desire to touch the bright, sparkling objects. The glistening beauty of these pieces compel the viewer to desire possession; like the seductive sirens of Homer’s Odyssey – instead of an aural response it is a tactile desire. Wild forms and psychedelic colours plunge towards the erotic, heightening the experience, urging you on, luring you in to engage completely with the cosmik debris, the destructive rubbish you have created.
Simon Reece studied ceramics at The National Art School (formerly East Sydney Technical College), in 1980 for 3 years. Working for ceramic master, Uneo Norihide in Bizen in 1985, where he learned the art of wood firing ceramics and developing a strong sense of ceramic aesthetics. These skills and methodologies still dominate and inform his work practice.
Constantly adapting and always working with different clays and developing glazes from raw materials, Simon has worked creating tableware for some of Australia’s acclaimed chefs. He has made large-scale environmental sculptures for private commissions and public works.
Recently completing a 27m ceramic mural ‘escarpment’ for Inner West Council in Sydney.
In 2014, Simon travelled with Merran Esson and Malcolm Greenwood to Shigaraki where they conducted workshops and lectures at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park.
His recent work includes collaborations with contemporary artists and continuing to develop and adapt his own studio practice.
His work has been exhibited at galleries including The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Manly Art Gallery, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, Newcastle Regional Art Gallery, Gold Coast Art Gallery. His work is held in private collections in Australia, USA, Japan, Europe, The Newcastle Regional Gallery and Manly Art Gallery and Museum.
He was one of the Master ceramicists at CLAYarc Gulgong in April 2016
