The Space In Between - Ceramic Forms

The Space In Between is a large-scale ceramic wall sculpture. The inspiration for the sculpture is two-fold. Firstly, it is inspired by the microscopic world of plant cells – in particular, vascular bundles in plant stems when we see them in cross-section. Then, there is the space in between these cells, and what this might represent for us emotionally. This piece represents a moment – the space in between knowing and not knowing – and how as artists, we learn to lean in to these spaces, however uncomfortable they might be. (Full inspiration story here.)

All 106 pieces were individually hand built and modelled in a grogged stoneware clay body. No two pieces are the same. The surface decoration was very important in this sculpture as well as the use of colour and texture.

As always with my work, the idea of the connection of these pieces to each other and to the space they are exhibited in – is central.

The Space In Between was on exhibit at Sculpture in Context 2017 in the Great Palm House of the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin.

Dimensions: overall 2.4m H x 1.2m W.

Price: €9,500 (106 pieces).

My inspiration

“There is a crack in everything…That’s how the light gets in.”

Leonard Cohen (Anthem, 1992.)

The inspiration for this piece is two-fold. On the one hand, there is the microscopic world of plant cells – in particular, vascular bundles in plant stems. Their patterns; the texture; and layers in these bundles; how they sit together – the visual, structural and functional aspects of it are fascinating and inspiring. It is the life blood of a plant.

Then there are the cracks, the space in between these cells. When I was sketching this piece, I was struck by this phrase – the space in between. And my mind was no longer thinking about cross-section of xylem and phloem but about a very human condition – when we seek to understand events in our lives we are sometimes stuck in this space in between.

They say there is the you before and the you after – and indeed what you might be in between. We don’t always like the bit in the middle – the space in between can be uncomfortable. Yet, we grow and create in this place.

Close-up of pine vascular trace shown in image to the left. From left to right in this trace would be protoxylem, procambium, and protophloem. Image by Dr. Paul J Schulte (University of Nevada). https://faculty.unlv.edu/schulte/Anatomy/Stems/Stems.html

Inspiration from vascular cambium of helianthus plant stem. Image by Katrina Burkhardt (2016). This image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Helianthus,_stem.jpg

But, in this space in between there is huge energy, the intangible can exist here, there can be more questions than answers, but the light can’t come in if we don’t leave space.

This piece represents this moment – this space in between knowing and not knowing.

As artists, we learn to lean in to these spaces, it is often here that we find inspiration, and much like a plant, new growth.

How was it made?

All The Space In Between pieces were individually hand built and modelled in a grogged stoneware clay body. No two pieces are the same. Each of the 106 pieces or cells were formed as wet slabs over a variety of different size ‘humps’ to achieve the lift that each piece has. Most of the pieces have a foot attached for wall hanging.

The surface decoration was very important in this piece, as was the use of colour and texture. This was achieved through the use of a number of different glazes.

The piece features gloss, satin, dry, reactive and volcanic/crater glazes as well as engobe. All of the glazes/engobe (except one) are ones I have developed myself over the years. Nine stoneware glazes come together to create the colours and textures we see in this piece; having been applied by pouring, slip trailing (splashing) and painting layer after layer of glaze.

All pieces were high fired in an electric kiln to 1260°C (Cone 8).

Studio Process - glazing. 'The Space In Between' by Michelle Maher is inspired by the microscopic world of plant cells – in particular, vascular bundles in plant stems. Consisting of 106 pieces it was hand built in a cranked clay body and high fired in an electric kiln to 1260 C. www.ceramicforms.com

About ‘Sculpture in Context’

“As you weave your way through the garden, you will discover sculptures in the most unexpected and surprising places. Ranging in size and materials, these works of art represent the richly diverse character of Irish and International contemporary sculpture today.”

Sculpture in Context is the largest and most prestigious outdoor sculpture exhibition in Ireland. Established in 1985 by a group of sculptors, their aim was to work on behalf of fellow sculptors to provide space for exhibiting work of sculpture in venues outside of their normal gallery context.

Thirty odd years on and Sculpture in Context has gone from strength to strength. Since 2002, the show has made its home in the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin which is annually transformed into a living art gallery.

Artists’ ingenuity, contemporary art and Mother Nature are wonderfully combined here and as the seasons change from summer to autumn, visitors are given a reason to return again and again to see the sculptures and the garden in ever changing conditions.

Sculpture receives a spectacular presentation in the Garden, which is laid out in a variety of settings including glasshouses, ponds and foliage – winding through the 50 acres of landscaped grounds. With over 150 sculptures, this is the most exciting outdoor sculpture exhibition in Ireland.

The show runs from the first week in September to the third week in October every year.

Dates for 2017 – 7th September – 20th October 2017.