Alchemy
Andrea Walsh, Contained Box, Pale Yellow Glass with Black Fine Bone China (12cm w), V&A Collection
July 11 2015
Reading the recent issue of Crafts Magazine, I see that Andrea Walsh’s new work has been acquired by the V&A for their Collection. Pale Yellow Glass with Black Fine Bone China was shown recently in COLLECT. I have been an admirer of her work for some time and was delighted to have the opportunity to see this new work and finally meet her at fair.
Working with makers in the area of professional practice, I am always keen to emphasis the importance of telling your story. Words and images can sometimes seem like inadequate tools when endeavoring to express the complex narrative of an object and I fully appreciate the challenges that writing an artist statement presents. Walsh’s work, however, is perfectly and accurately described as ‘Exploring ideas of preciousness and value through considered tactile objects, this collection of intimately scaled box forms embraces investigation, and is inspired by the inherent characteristics, historical associations and symbolism of ancient and alchemic materials, their individual qualities and direct relationships.’ Here, every carefully considered word imbues meaning, while the above image perfectly captures the ethereal and contrasting qualities of this beautiful object. Need I say more?