Kristin McKirdy, Ceramics
At the end of a residency in Sèvres – Cité de la céramique from 2008 to 2012, Kristin McKirdy, ceramist, was invited to propose an exhibition that highlights a historical and aesthetic connection between his work and certain pieces from Sèvres' collections.
The exhibition, presented first in Sèvres, then in Bordeaux in 2013 and finally in Roubaix in 2014, testifies to the confrontation of his work with other know-how encountered during his residency. In addition to all the porcelain creations imagined on site, a selection of older pieces is presented, offering a complete overview of his approach for twenty years.
This retrospective exhibition, the first in this case, dedicated to the creations of Kristin McKirdy has the ambition to reflect the richness of the personality of this internationally recognized artist.
Sensitive, discreet and generous, his many facets are found in his art, which raises ceramics, primitive material, to the rank of major art by the power of the spirit and sensitivity. Kristin McKirdy likes organic shapes, curves, modules where the acute angle is just a counterpoint to highlight her roundness opposite; it’s a constant in her work. Keen on archaeology, we can see in many of his productions, a tribute to the first ceramists, as its polished "bodies" evoking the art furniture of the early ages, or its forms evoking the perfect simplicity of ceramics from the first Mediterranean civilizations. His residence in Sèvres influenced his work. Sèvres, its porcelain so particular, the palette of its decorations, in particular those of the XVIIIe century and the infinite possibility of invention of the colors proved to be a vivifying ground of experiments.
Thanks to this "alchemical cuisine", Kristin McKirdy has realized projects that delight the senses. His generously garnished cups, like the horns of abundance, make us dangle treasures of precious stones and gold. Faceted or organic elements, clear colors or pure gold, pastels as the gourmet macarons of great pastry chefs captivate us like so many sensual evocations. His Coffres-nuages maintain the mystery, as do his porcelain trompe-l'oeil, the Bronze Ribbon Bone and the Pompom Cushion, a bit surreal. These objects, nourished by references drawn from the iconography of the 18th century, celebrate a refinement that the artist has brought up to date.
Opening : Thursday 28 February 2013
Practical Informations
Press kit and exhibition guide available on request from documentation.madd@mairie-bordeaux.fr
AROUND THE EXHIBITION
Conference
The adventure of porcelain in France by Caroline Fillon
Conference room of the Museum of Decorative Arts
March 26, 2013 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Workshop for school children (by appointment)
Porcelain of yesterday and today: shapes and decorations
Kristin McKirdy works a lot with families of objects whose contemporary forms are surprising but whose decorations reflect the patterns and colors that have made the reputation of excellence of the Sèvres factory. At the workshop, students are invited to shape their own sculpture resulting from this mixture of tradition and original creation.
Curator of the exhibition
François Guillemeteaud, curator at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Bordeaux
The Museum of Decorative Arts and Design thanks:
Amis de l'hôtel de Lalande
Air France
Chapon Fin
Château de Launay
Château Nairac
Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa