In a recent blog-post on Poole pottery, I referred to two little Delphis dishes as miniature works of art. Which, in a way, they are. But that got me thinking about which pottery might come into the category 'pottery as art'. Then I remembered this rather strange but beautiful wall tile.
I think you'd have to agree that this tile is pure abstract art in stoneware and glaze.
The wall tile is by the talented and creative ceramicist Mari Simmulson and was produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden. I would think the tile dates from the late 1960s.
The stylised flowering plant with its thick stems, fills the stoneware tile with deep rich tones of reds, greens and blues. The whole composition is then highlighted with flashes of bright white.
I have no idea how commercially successful this wall tile may have been at the time it was made, but I can imagine that it must have taken great bravery for a manufacturer to trust in such expressionistic work. So for that courage, Upsala Ekeby deserve great credit. As, of course, does Mari Simmulson.
There's information on Mari Simmulson and some examples of her work here: Mari Simmulson
There's also more information and pictures on this excellent blog-site devoted to Upsala Ekeby: Mari Simmulson on Upsala Ekeby Samlarna
This would be great for something like a tabletop or as a feature in a wall of plainer tiles, but can you imagine a whole block of them? Wow!
ReplyDeleteI do really like it though, it is full of character.
Wow Yes. I'd love a whole block. But I'm not going to find them. The tile has a wire hanger at the back and was sold to be displayed as an individual display tile or ornamental plaque. I suspect it was also handmade and exists only in really small numbers. Glad you like it though.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this wonderful tile with us. Such unusual and groovy pieces like this I find very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteLovely.
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