Clay Dynasty and the Powerhouse Museum Acquisition
Self Portrait with Cats (during lockdown) 2021
Powerhouse Museum, Sydney commissioned Vipoo Srivilasa to create a new piece for a major exhibition of Australian ceramic, Clay Dynasty. The new work titled “‘Self Portrait with Cats (during lockdown)” is now in the permanent collection at the museum.
Clay Dynasty celebrates studio ceramics in Australia as shaped by three generations of makers: from the 1960s pioneers who transformed the functional pottery tradition to contemporary ceramic artists who continue to push the medium. The first major exhibition to chart the astonishing diversity of ceramic practice across Australia, it features more than 400 objects from the Powerhouse’s significant ceramics collection.
‘Self Portrait with Cats (during lockdown)’ was created by contemporary Thai-born Melbourne-based artist, Vipoo Srivilasa, in his Melbourne studio. Using porcelain and his signature colour palette, his body of work playfully blends contemporary culture, Asian and European decorative art traditions. In creating this work, he drew on the Museum’s collection of English figurines and his experience as an artist working during the COVID-19 lockdown reflecting on his experience and being ‘endlessly entertained and comforted’ by his two cats. (Srivilasa, 2021)
The symbolic elements on the figure further alludes to Srivilasa’s Buddhist practice including, a golden bird and deity, representing himself and the desire for freedom and travel and three wise monkey statues: I relate really well to the monkey who speaks no evil.’ The golden amulets refer to the objects he enjoyed during the lockdown including his smartphone, nature documentaries, computer games, ceramic making and redecorating his house. (Srivilasa, 2021)
Obtaining a Bachelor of Art (Ceramics) from Rangsit University, Bangkok in 1994, Srivilasa went on to gain a Graduate Diploma of Arts (Ceramics) from Monash University, Melbourne and a Master of Fine Arts and Design from the University of Tasmanian, Hobart. Srivilasa is a prominent contemporary Australian artist who has exhibited his works both nationally and internationally.
Curator, Eva Czernis-Ryl and Assistant Curator, Chloe Appleby, 2021
Clay Dynasty
Powerhouse Museum
11 October 2021–29 January 2023
