Stacked Saturday in Al Qouz

After a good five months of production time and anticipation, the group exhibition, Art of Tomtems, opened at Yadawei Studio on Saturday for a brief run. This exhibition was proposed by the studio a few months prior, and members were given theme “totem” as the starting point, a September deadline, and then we were let loose to make our responses. 

The studio space at Yadawei is a very open, and so much of the creation process throughout has been very visible. Chances are if you have came into Yadawei any time since last Spring, you have seen someone working on a totem element! Needless to say this as built up a lot of anticipation in the participating members, as we have seen each other working through our designs, and enduring the hardships of the inevitable cracks, firing fails, and rebuilds.

However, as many of us left the UAE for the summer, only returning over the last month or so, this exhibition was really the first opportunity for many to see each other’s pieces in their finished forms. And, they did not dissapoint! There was a brilliant range of pieces featured from functional (lamps, bird baths, and candy dishes) to more sculpture forms of variety and style. 

Photo Credit: Alex @greenmoment

I showed two pieces in the exhibition: my Dubai themed totem, Habibi, Come to Dubai. and an untitled plant stand.

The Dubai totem came first, or rather was designed first. The process itself went through many rebuilds, and it was no small matter- despite the final piece’s size.

I was aiming for realism in each of the constructed elements, and wanted to capture as much accuracy in the form, and texture of the separate pieces 

I snapped this photo of one of my favorite, “small but mighty” pieces in the exhibition- this lamp just under 60cm.

Helen actually had three pieces featured in this exhibition- all lamps! I believe may be personally responsible for the lamp craze that hit the studio, in the lead up to this exhibition.

This is my absolute favorite of the three pieces she showcased. I love the organic forms, made from slabs of varying clay bodies; they remind me so much of upturned mushroom caps. The silhouette of the form is well balanced, and I adore way they pick up the soft light cast by the lamp shade.

Artist: Helen Bone-Knell

Rachel’s totem was a wonderful demonstration in her skillful use of underglaze applied onto dark clay body- a technique that shows up often in her body of work. You can see similar techniques, as well Rachel’s recent work with wax resist on her Instagram @rachelceramics, or ra.

I did not realize until well after when looking back at photos how well Rachel’s outfit coordinated with her sculpture! Fabulous.

Photo Credit: Alex @greenmoment
Artist: Rachel Smith

I have had the pleasure of seeing bits and piece of this totem come together, as Hessa’s shelf is near to mine in the studio, but this was the first time seeing it complete!

The range of textures achieved on this is just fantastic. Hessa seems to utilize a mixture of sgraffito, etching, and glaze variation throughout the totem. The center, circular element, looks as if it has been carved out of a fine stone. It is only when you zoom in can you see the speckled raw clay at the center.

Artist: Hessa Al Attar

While short lived, with the showing running short of a week, this was the first of what I hope will be many more exhibitions at Yadawei in the 2023-2024 year.

Photo Credit: Alex @greenmoment