Flower Pot c. 1939

Alfred Parys made this 'Flower Pot', the approximate dimensions of which are 30.5 by 22.8 centimeters. It’s a very direct image, a terracotta pot set on a simple wooden surface, but the execution is far from basic. Parys seems fascinated by the subtle shifts in tone and the way the light catches the curved surface of the pot. The beauty of this piece lies in the materiality. Look at the texture he’s created, the way he’s built up the color in layers to give it depth and warmth. It's got a certain kind of glaze with these darker wandering lines that give it so much charm and character. The dark marks could be seen as flaws, like the pot has lived a little, been used, or maybe it’s just the imperfections in the firing process that Parys is keen to showcase. The way Parys has approached the subject reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi, another artist who found endless inspiration in the humble still life. Both artists teach us to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of everyday objects, finding something extraordinary in the ordinary.