A Figurative Approach

Examining the ceramic vases, Double Cone and Triple Circle by Jean and Jacqueline Lerat, I sense a refined rawness and elegance in the couple’s approach to material and form. Each piece conveys a story rooted in a specific time and place. From the distinct colors and textures derived from the clay used in La Bourne, France, to the unified shape language that emerges from the artist’s collaboration, Double Cone and Triple Circle is more than meets the eye.

I am drawn to the microcavities created by the salt pressed into the sides of the clay, as well as the balance between volume and weight displayed through their silhouettes. The upper and lower regions of each work broaden out, while their center tapers inward, much like a thin waist. Their figurative appearance and gestural posture lend the work a more sculptural quality than vessels that house plants.

When I walk past Double Cone, the piece seems to casually lean back on certain days or bow forward on others. On the other hand, Triple Circle maintains a stoic stance, standing upright with its symmetrical composition. The contrasts and similarities between the two works offer a glimpse into the artist’s emotional connection to the human form and their ability to manipulate clay. There is also a veiled mystery, one that invites me to revisit the piece repeatedly and discover new ways to present the two objects together.

I would occasionally turn the sculptures to reveal the sides that resonate with me at that moment. Sometimes it’s the colors from the outside light that would inspire this change, or narratives that play in my head. Sometimes, I would reposition the works in other areas of the gallery. I would admire these works alongside Sylvie Johnson’s Brocade and appreciate the contrast between the beveled motifs in her textile and the sharp slope of Double Cone and Triple Circle. In most instances, the vases would sit across Johnson’s Panel and Cascade, two dew-colored rugs that reflect a similar bluish hue, as seen through the vase’s glazed exterior. The pieces are dynamic and consistently engage the senses.

Double Cone and Triple Circle by Jean and Jacqueline Lerat will be on display in our exhibition Crossing Lines until August 28th. I welcome you to come and see the works in person and discover the unique ways they appear before you.