Fire, works
Bouke de Vries ‘Memory Urn 1’ (detail) 2011, 18th century ceramics raku refired 2011, 20th century ceramics, glass and mixed media, diam 232 x 514 mm
Bouke de Vries ‘Flower Stand’ 2011, 18th , 19th & 20th century ceramics, burnt wood table, glass dome, mixed media, Diam 523 x 1630 mm
Bouke de Vries ‘Flower Stand’ (detail) 2011, 18th , 19th & 20th century ceramics, burnt wood table, glass dome, mixed media, Diam 523 x 1630 mm
Bouke de Vries 'Trapped' 2011, 19th century Japanese porcelain bird cage and mixed media, 365 x 245 x 340 mm
Bouke de Vries 'The Phoenix' 2011, 18th and 19th century Chinese porcelain , raku refired 2011, and mixed media, 355 x 220 x 390 mm
VEGAS Gallery is delighted to present ‘Fire, Works’ Bouke de Vries first solo show with the gallery, showcasing new works in which De Vries continues to examine the contradictions surrounds the perception of perfection.
Creating new sculptures from the broken remains of ceramic vessels and figurines, the artist began his career as a restorer of ceramics. While studying at conservation college, De Vries was asked to assist in sorting through crates and crates of the fire-damaged remains of the important ceramics collection at Uppark House in West Sussex, a National Trust property, still partly occupied by the Meade-Fetherstonhaugh family. A devastating fire in the 1980s destroyed the very important collection of ceramics that was housed on the first floor. The intense heat had caused the ceramics to distort, the glaze to burn and most of the original decoration to be burnt off, leaving behind a ghost of its past glory.
Created deliberately in extreme fire conditions, the most traumatic event in the history of these objects is taken as a new starting point for the exhibition and instead of it causing them to be discarded, it triggers a new chapter in their story as, phoenix-like, they rise transformed to live again.
Born in Utrecht, The Netherlands, Bouke de Vries has started his design education in Eindhoven followed by a degree at Central St Martins. De Vries has worked with John Galliano, Stephen Jones and Zandra Rhodes and has developed his skills further while training in ceramics conservation and restoration that led to the realisation of his creative potential and extended his artistic practice. Recent exhibitions include “Pieces” (solo) Super Window Project, Kyoto 2010 , Deconstructions (Double-solo) Ron Mandos Gallery, Amsterdam, 2010, ‘Questions of belonging’ MIMA (Middlesbrough institute of modern art) 2010, ‘Contemporary eye: Crossovers’ Pallant house Gallery, Chichester, 2010, ‘Vanitas’ All Visual Arts, London 2010 and ‘ Emerging artists- Flora Fairbarn Productions’ Selfridges, London, 2009