Artist :Michael Pugh
Genre :Ceramics
Period :October 1 till November 25. Everyday, 9.00AM till 5.00PM
Location : Jenggala Keramik. Jl. Uluwatu ll, Jimbaran. Tel: 703310
Michael Pugh was born in 1944 in Sydney, Australia. He spent his early years working in advertising but in 1973, in the Buderim rainforest, he established “Middle Earth Pottery” and began to experiment with wood-fired stoneware ceramics. His work has been exhibited and collected in Australia and overseas. Recently Michael has been creating a collection of ceramics for Jenggala Keramik and this work is currently on exhibition under the title “Reflections On Bali”. These ceramics have been inspired by the exotic and tropical aspects of Bali, particularly the indigenous flora and fauna which plays such a crucial role in Balinese mythology and culture. Turtles, geckos, frogs and dragonflies plus flowers such as the lotus, frangipani and hibiscus have been chosen by Michael to express his passion for all living creatures.
One of the exceptional elements of this exhibition is the amazing alkaline and deep royal blue colors that dominate Michael’s pottery collection ranging from plates, vases and bowls to beautifully hand-painted ceramic panels. These unique blue colors are used to represent the ocean, sky, rivers and ponds of Bali. Gazing into one of Michael’s bowls is similar to being mesmerized by a reflective pool. The experience is totally tranquil, peaceful, and restful. Frangipani petals float gracefully on the water and below the surface frogs cavort in circular patterns while dragonflies skim and ride the gentle ripples. Speaking about his craft Michael says: “Without too much thought of its future life I like to think of my work being used daily and cherished by its owners”. However, these ceramics are too exquisite for daily use and indeed should be cherished by their owners as beautiful items of contemplation.
Speaking about the place pottery holds in the development of civilization Michael says: “Even when time has erased the form to leave us with a few broken shards, we have still been able to gather the remnants and read the story of those who first made the pot. Form and decoration is a fusion of the two arts by the studio potter which gives anyone the freedom to tell their story”. Michael tells his story and reflects on his experiences here in Bali by creating a series of spectacular ceramic wall panels that can only be regarded as visual art. Within these deep blue panels the flora and fauna now take on iconic dimensions as they signify stories of full moon festivals, midnight fishing expeditions and trips to mountain temples. These panels appear like fragments of a much larger, and now lost, tiled mosaic dedicated to Balinese Mythology. Like moments recalled from a dream the panels are the only traces left of something elusive and ethereal and inexplicable.
With the assuredness of a Zen master, Michael can describe a meditating priest, a swaying bamboo stalk or a buzzing dragonfly with just a few decisive linear brushstrokes. These hand-painted ceramic pieces are the works of a great and talented craftsman. This exhibition is extremely elegant, absolutely outstanding and remains glazed deep into your mind.
