Keith Rice-Jones

Primary Energy, at the Gallery of BC Ceramics
June 5 - July 1, Opening night June 5, 6:00-8:00PM

This new txxiy of work is identifiably
mine if only because of the familiar forms
and architectural references. However the
motivation and intent come from a differ-
ent place. I see them as simply sculptural
Statements to stand in home, office, patio
or garden settings.

Previously, | have been drawn to symbol.
In carly pieces, | used geometric abstrac-
tion to represent the figure as part of an
idea or process such as Breaking Out If. 1
incorporated ideas based on ritual or iconic
influences from many cultures, usually
with architectural references or contest
(Medici Tabernacle Box) and ultimately
used elemental simplifications such as a
mountain and pyramid (Pyramid Boxes).

Kelth Rice-Jenes Medici Tabernacle Box
1999, slab bull, reduction stoge ware,
come 10. BH: 38.1 cm

Tune 2003

Keith Rice-Jones Pyramid Boxes 1985, podue-
tion stoneware, come 1), alab built. He 15.2 em

Keith Rice-Jones Arecking Gur M 1979, slab built,
reduction stoneware, come 10. H: 48.3 cm

Keith Rice-Jones Homage to
Magritte 2000, slab buill, reducben

stoneware, come 10. H: 82.3 cm ih

This current series began as homage to the
Belgian Surrealist painter René Magritte
and his questions regarding perceptions of
space. The first piece was made and wood-
fired in Japan in 2000 (Homage to
Magritte), [have developed the idea, mak-
ing other versions for the current series.
Also I have explored a new range of sur-
faces with combinations of oxides and
coloured engobes in my gas kiln.

These new pieces have no symbolic intent,
but are simply an abstract exploration of
space using combinations of four primary
geometrical solids. In high school, I re-
member that geometry was the only math
with which | made any connection. Now,
I realize that math can be fun.

In one sense the pieces are like formal
musical compositions where the tension
and energy is as much in the spaces be-
tween as in the juxtaposition of the ele-
mots themselves. In another sense it is a
game with rules of my own within those of
formal composition, | use the Egyptian
pyramid geometry in various sizes, am-
other singular sized pyramid that is twice
as high as its base, and three sizes of
sphere, Somehow they all seem to relate
and combine generally within a rectangu-
lar matrix. My other rules are that the work
must fil the kiln in one piece and, like
Svend Bayer and his large pieces, | hove to
be able to lift it.

Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter

Starting with sketches, | do full size work-
ing drawings. I use quite stiff slabs for the
constructions and plaster assembly moulds
for the various elements, In making such
large complex forms, it is challenging
enough, but choosing to fire them at come
10 is really quite masochistic, | guess we
all need to find our own way to live dan-
gerously!

Keith Rice-Jones

Keith Rice-Jones 3-4 Time 2003, slab
built, reduction stoneware, cone 10, H:
66.0 cm